Fleming returns to state with URI to face UConn

While the Big East and Atlantic Coast Conferences released their respective schedules on Thursday, UConn fans will have to wait at least a few more days to learn the Huskies’ league slate.

The American Athletic Conference is still finalizing its league schedule and should be releasing it in the middle of next week, most likely Wednesday morning. At that point, UConn’s entire schedule will also be released. One thing is certain: UConn’s league slate (like all other AAC teams) won’t start until after New Year’s. UConn will also likely open up on the road.

The Huskies have already revealed their 2018-19 non-league foes, including Syracuse (Nov. 15) and Villanova (Dec. 22) at Madison Square Garden, Arizona (Dec. 2 at home), Florida State (Dec. 8 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey) and either Oregon or Iowa (Nov. 16 at MSG).

UConn has an exhibition game slated against Southern Connecticut on Nov. 2, and is in the process of trying to schedule a charity exhibition game, as well. Last year, the Huskies played Providence in such a contest at Mohegan Sun Arena. It’s possible — though doubtful — UConn could play the Friars again.

The Huskies will also play Harvard in a closeddoor scrimmage at the end of October at Gampel Pavilion. The game is closed to the public but will feature a scorekeeper and four referees and played with gamelike intensity. First-year UConn coach Dan Hurley played several closed-door scrimmages against Harvard while at URI. The Crimson are coached by Tommy Amaker, the former Duke star and ex-coach at Seton Hall, Hurley’s alma mater. Harvard is expected to be the team to beat in the Ivy League this season.

BUSY SEASON

UConn got an official visit from Isaiah Wong, a 6-foot-2 combo guard from Trenton, New Jersey, this past weekend and paid home visits to Wong on Monday, then point guard Jalen Gaffney on Tuesday, according to reports. This weekend, the Huskies will host James Bouknight, a 6-5 shooting guard from the MacDuffie School in Massachusetts.

UConn has also recently shown interest in Karim Coulibaly, a versatile, 6foot-8 lefthanded shooter from Scotland Campus Sports in Pennsylvania. UConn may pay Coulibaly a visit next week. Pittsburgh, Tulane and St. Joseph’s will be visiting him next week, and St. John’s and Providence are also recruiting Coulibaly, a Mali native whose recruitment is “wide-open” right now, according to Scotland Campus coach Chris Chaney.

SIGN HERE, PLEASE

The UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams and men’s hockey team will be signing autographs during Fan Fest at Saturday’s football game between UConn and Rhode Island at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. The teams will be signing between 10:30-11:30 a.m. at tents set up outside Gate C.