Nonconference schedule loaded with tough games

Slate includes South Carolina, Notre Dame, homecoming trips to Minnesota and Canada

The Uconn women’s basketball team will face seven Top 25 teams in the NCAA’S NET rankings this upcoming season, including South Carolina, Notre Dame, Maryland and Louisville, as the Huskies’ nonconference schedule was released Tuesday.

Uconn will also play Minnesota in a homecoming game for Paige Bueckers on Nov. 19, and travel to Toronto Dec. 20 for Aaliyah Edwards, to face Toronto Metropolitan University before Christmas break. They’ll also take on Ball State, where Nika Muhl’s sister Hana plays, on Dec. 6.

The Huskies will play in the inaugural Cayman Islands Classic Nov. 24-25 and face North Carolina at Mohegan Sun Dec. 10 in the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase.

They will host Notre Dame Jan. 27 and travel to South Carolina Feb. 11. Uconn lost to both teams last year, 74-60 to Notre Dame and 81-77 to South Carolina, which was ranked No. 1 at the time. South Carolina advanced to the Final Four, where the Gamecocks lost to Iowa 77-73.

Uconn will open the season on Nov. 8 against Dayton, coached by former Uconn star Tamika Williams-jeter, then travel to N.C. State Nov. 12, followed by a Nov. 16 game against Maryland and the Nov. 19 game at Minnesota before heading to the Cayman Islands over Thanksgiving.

Locations, tip times and TV schedules for some games will be announced at a later date.

Complete nonconference schedule:

Saturday, Nov. 4, vs. Southern Connecticut State (exhibition) Wednesday, Nov. 8, vs. Dayton Sunday, Nov. 12, at NC State Thursday, Nov. 16, at Maryland Sunday, Nov. 19, at Minnesota Friday, Nov. 24, TBA, Cayman Islands Classic Sunday, Dec. 3, at Texas Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Ball State Sunday, Dec. 10, vs. North Carolina (Hall of Fame Showcase) Saturday, Dec. 16, vs. Louisville Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Toronto Metropolitan Saturday, Jan. 27, vs. Notre Dame Sunday, Feb. 11, at South Carolina