The UConn Fast Break - 8/14/2023
Football preseason is ramping up and the basketball teams are going global!
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Men’s hoops thriving in Europe
The Huskies just got back from three games in nine days in France, Monaco and Spain, returning August 10. Dan Hurley’s squad was in Monaco facing Le Cannet Basket and in Barcelona for two games against Spanish Select teams. All were big wins that revealed some hints about what to expect next year.
The Huskies won each game by at least 25 points, including a margin of victory over 60 points against Le Cannet Basket. We don't want to read too much into the box scores, but it’s encouraging to see the new players and returners mesh so well.
Stephon Castle scored 20 points in the first game in Barcelona and Cam Spencer had some encouraging performances, especially from 3-point range, while Donovan Clingan had no trouble scoring and grabbing rebounds. Samson Johnson proved why people are expecting him to be a factor this season and multiple freshmen besides Castle showed that they have the potential to contribute.
However, the most important part of the tour is the 10 extra days of practice and bonding experiences. The team explored new countries, attended an FC Barcelona match, cooked paella, and gained valuable experience before beginning preseason training camp in October.
Geno Auriemma’s squad is starting a European tour of its own this week.
Weekly Rewind
Women’s Basketball
Aaliyah Edwards homecoming game - The Huskies will play Toronto Metropolitan University.
Paige Bueckers fully cleared - It’s unclear whether the star point guard will play on the team's trip to Europe.
Why KK Arnold came to UConn - This week’s UConn WBB Weekly newsletter.
Caroline Ducharme is finally healthy - The talented guard has had an injury plauged start to her college career.
Huskies head to Europe ($) - The women’s basketball team will be overseas this week. | Photos
Bueckers’ return a relief ($) - She’s more than just a good player.
Press defense back in play ($) - With added backcourt depth, Geno wants to up the pressure on defense.
UConn in the WNBA ($) - Dorka Juhasz has returned to Connecticut, facing the Sun as a member of the Minnesota Lynx and she’s right where she belongs | Photos
Men’s Basketball
Remembering Corny Thompson - A member of the Huskies of Honor, the Middletown native was one of the Huskies’ first stars in the Big East era.
The UConn Pod: A look at the roster - What will the new guys bring and what is the answer for depth off the bench?
The UConn Pod: Clayton Trutor interview - The author joins the pod to discuss his new book, Boston Ball, and Jim Calhoun's origin story.
New roles ($) - Even the returning players will likely have new roles headed into 2023-24.
Football
Defensive depth will be key - Several transfers promise to boost the UConn defense.
Offense shines in preseason scrimmage - Notes after the first preseason scrimmage on August 5.
Optimism abound as preseason begins - Plenty of reasons to expect continued improvement in Year 2 of the Jim Mora era.
QB preview - Our position previews start with the signal callers.
2024 athlete gives commitment - Dominic Toy, a Pennsylvania native and three-star recruit, is the latest commit.
Men’s Hockey
2023-24 schedule released - News of various games came out via other schools through the summer, but the program announced it in full on Thursday. | Full schedule
Bauer Swift joins Huskies - A blueliner, Swift is an incoming freshman from West Hartford.
Freitas Ice Forum gets new life - The former ice rink will now be a dedicated facility for the women’s volleyball program.
Position battle preview ($) - The Huskies will have some competition in net, among other spots.
Women’s Soccer
Huskies start athletic year - The first event of the year was an exhibition between UConn and Fairfield. | Photos
Preseason coaches’ poll - UConn was picked sixth out of 11 teams.
Women’s Hockey
2023-24 schedule - In conjunction with the men’s squad, women’s hockey unveiled its season slate.
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The UConn Hockey Hub
Highlights
Check out this great catch by Kevens Clercius in football practice.
Memory Lane
UConn football faces NC State on August 31 and opens the 20th season of UConn football at Rentschler Field after it opened in 2003 (the program canceled the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
The Huskies welcomed Indiana into East Hartford and behind a strong showing by junior quarterback Dan Orlovsky, who threw three touchdowns, the home team christened the new stadium with a 34-10 victory.
In May 2020, we looked back at this game, which you can also watch on UConn Husky Games.
UConn, Great Pic
UConn women’s soccer kicked off the athletic year on August 9, as the Huskies faced off against Fairfield in an exhibition game. They’ll also play the first game that counts, on August 20 against Boston University.
Dan Hurley’s ref-yelling game was in mid-season form. We also have a cool one from their cathedral visit.
The final pic is of Jacob Flynn, an in state WR who had a long TD grab in the first scrimmage.
Parting Thoughts
UConn men’s hockey has formally unveiled its 2023-24 schedule. Over on the UConn Hockey Hub, our own Daniel Connolly was all over it, writing six separate stories as it all came together.
It’s a solid slate, with no plane rides and Hamilton, New York being the longest non-conference road trip, as the Huskies open the season against Colgate. The only contest that isn’t on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday will be the season finale against Vermont on a Thursday.
UConn will also face off against Holy Cross in a home-and-home and will have four home games at the XL Center now that Toscano Family Ice Forum has opened.
The games in downtown Hartford are strategic, as UMass Lowell will open the slate in October, but will play on-campus later in the season. Dartmouth arrives during the Thanksgiving break, and the final two come against Maine during winter break for students.
The schedule also includes the Connecticut Ice Tournament, which will be held at the XL Center this year. It may seem distant, but hockey season is just around the corner, starting on October 7.
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