Next Step Before Basketball Season for UConn: Big East Media Day

What is the biggest signthat the UConn Huskies are on the cusp of basketball season?

The Big East’s BasketballMedia Day is Thursday, with the league the first among the basketball powerconferences to hold the annual event.

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Coaches and playersfrom the 11 men’s and 11 women’s conference teams will gather at the Marriott Marquis in TimesSquare in New York to answer questions about the upcoming season.

Coaches Shaka Smart (left) of Marquette and Dan Hurley of UConn chat before their teams meet in March at Milwaukee. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

A question boundto be asked – or something similar – of UConn’s Dan Hurley and Geno Auriemmaand their players: “You reached the Final Four last season and fell short ofthe championship. Do you feel you have unfinished business?”

Sure, they do. Thegoal at the end of the season in the Basketball Capital of America is always tohoist the trophy in April.

The UConn menlost 69-63 to Michigan in the 2026 NCAA championship game. The women, riding a38-0 season record into their semifinal against South Carolina, were stunned62-48 and fell short of reaching the title game.

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The UConn menwill be pursuing their 40th NCAA Tournament, ninth Final Four andseventh championship (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023 and 2024) when their seasonopens Nov. 2 against Gardner-Webb.

UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) defends against South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson (5) during the semifinal of the Final Four of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament on April 3 in Phoenix. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The UConn womenwere thwarted last season in their quest for back-to-back championships, whichwould have been their 13th. Auriemma has led the program to all 37 ofits tournament appearances and all 25 Final Fours. The Huskies won the NCAAchampionship in 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016and 2025.

Their first gameis Nov. 2 against Cornell.

Peacock willstream the event live on Thursday. The men’s portion of Media Day will begin at9 a.m….

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Publish date : 2026-09-28 22:14:00

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