The sixth-ranked UConn women’s basketball team is on the road to face the DePaul Blue Demons on Wednesday night at the Wintrust Arena. With confidence surging from their nine-game winning streak, the Huskies, boasting a 19-2 record and perfect 10-0 mark in the BIG EAST, look to extend their historical dominance over the Blue Demons. UConn is 25-1 all-time against DePaul, having won their last 25 matchups, including their previous encounter this February, which ended with a resounding 104-67 victory for the Huskies.
UConn’s impressive winning streak has not been simply about luck; it’s been fueled by strong performances from key players. Freshman Sarah Strong has emerged as the team’s rising star, scoring 26 points and grabbing 12 rebounds against Creighton last week. Averaging 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds this season, Strong is quickly becoming one of UConn's pivotal players. Coach Geno Auriemma praised the value of starting games strong, stating, "That’s the whole point," demonstrating the team's strategy to seize control early on.
On the other side, DePaul enters the matchup with some struggles of their own. With an 11-11 record, they rely heavily on their leading scorer, Jorie Allen, who contributes 19.5 points per game. Allen’s performance is particularly noteworthy, as she has not only been pivotal on offense but also leads the team in assists, steals, and blocks. Despite these strengths, DePaul’s recent performances have exhibited both offensive inconsistency and defensive vulnerabilities. They rank 279th nationally for effective field goal percentage at just 42.8%.
With UConn having shown remarkable resilience throughout the season, they currently boast one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios nationwide. The Huskies have also excelled defensively, often generating quick turnovers and scoring off transition plays, which has been key to their success. Superstar Paige Bueckers emphasized the importance of turning defensive plays also saying, "It’s huge obviously just to have momentum-shifters," underlining how defensive prowess fuels their offensive rhythm.
DePaul, managing to close out their last two games with wins, finds themselves needing to overcome significant challenges to keep up with the Huskies. Under interim head coach Jill Pizzotti, they have seen developmental growth from young players like Taylor Johnson-Matthews and Kate Clarke, contributing almost 70% of the team’s scoring average. Yet, their overall performance on the court leaves much to be desired, especially as they prepare to face UConn.
UConn's overall offensive firepower has made them formidable opponents. With their effective field goal percentage at nearly 62% following the injury of Paige Bueckers, the Huskies have consistently outperformed others, maintaining second place nationally for offensive efficiency since January 5. This continued efficiency will be put to the test against DePaul's defense, which is currently the worst within the BIG EAST.
The upcoming game is not just any ordinary matchup—it’s also strategically important for both UConn and DePaul. UConn looks to secure their spot at the top of the BIG EAST, whereas for DePaul, this is about proving themselves against one of the best teams. The spotlight will be on both teams as fans tune to watch the game broadcasted live on SNY starting at 7 p.m. ET, with previous matchups spurring anticipation for this rivalry.
With limited tickets remaining for UConn's following home games, it's clear there’s increasing enthusiasm surrounding the program, particularly with their stellar play and commitment to excellence this season. The challenge posed by DePaul will be significant, yet the Huskies are ready to leverage their depth and skill to keep their winning streak alive.