UConn opens season against Gardner-Webb in Hartford doubleheader

Dan Hurley will begin his ninth season as head coach of the UConn men's basketball team on Monday night. The fourth-ranked Huskies open their 2026-27 campaign against Gardner-Webb at 9 p.m. in the nightcap of a doubleheader at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford. The UConn women's team plays Cornell earlier in the day at 5 p.m.

The pairing evokes a specific memory from 19 years ago. In 2007, UConn faced Gardner-Webb twice in five days. The teams first met at Madison Square Garden on November 15, where the Huskies won 78-66. They met again in Hartford on November 16, with UConn securing an 89-72 victory. The programs have not met since until Monday.

Hurley emphasized that his staff treats every opponent with the same level of preparation. He noted that the team is not a group of professionals in terms of skill or approach, so they must bring world-class effort to every game. The coaching staff spent significant time studying film of Gardner-Webb, including games from last season when the Runnin' Bulldogs went 4-29, and clips of current players from their previous stops.

Silas Demary Jr. stated that the team must avoid overlooking the opponent despite a upcoming matchup with Michigan. The Huskies are scheduled to play Michigan in a national championship game rematch on Friday at Boston's TD Garden. Demary said the team must prepare for Gardner-Webb with the same respect they would show for a top-ranked rival. He stressed that the team must play to the UConn standard rather than adjusting to the level of competition.

The Huskies have already played three exhibition games this fall. They defeated Syracuse and Michigan State and played Purdue last week. Hurley said these games help remove opening-night jitters. He described the feeling as if the season started in June, allowing the team to deal with initial nerves before the regular season begins.

The doubleheader format presents some logistical challenges. Hurley mentioned that moving equipment for both teams in and out of the arena will be inconvenient. However, he noted that these conflicts are good for Hartford because they bring more business to local restaurants and bars. Senior Jayden Ross said he is interested to see how the transition between the women's and men's games will affect warm-up routines.

The UConn men's team tips off against Gardner-Webb at 9 p.m. on Monday. The game will be broadcast on Peacock and NBCSN. This marks the first time the two programs have met in 19 years.