UConn vs LSU Showdown, Coaching Changes, and Big East Insights
Rebecca Lobo dropped some big news for women’s college basketball fans on the podcast A Touch More. UConn and LSU are set to face off in a non-conference game next season in Nashville, Tennessee.
Multiple sources confirmed this highly anticipated matchup. It’ll take place at Bridgestone Arena and air on ESPN.
Geno Auriemma will coach UConn, and Kim Mulkey leads LSU. Both are huge names in the sport, so this should be a fun one to watch.
This game gives both teams a chance to see how they stack up against top competition. It’s also a solid way to prep for the NCAA Tournament.
UConn vs. LSU: A Clash of Titans
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People in the women’s college basketball world are buzzing about UConn vs. LSU. It’ll be held at Bridgestone Arena, home to the NHL’s Nashville Predators.
ESPN Events is putting the matchup together. The date isn’t set yet, but Auriemma said he’s hoping for January or February.
That timing lines up with UConn’s usual plan to play tough non-conference games late in the season. It seems like both teams want to test themselves before March.
Historical Context
UConn and LSU have some history. They last played in 2016, with UConn winning in Baton Rouge.
Since Kim Mulkey took over at LSU in 2021, the two teams haven’t faced each other. Auriemma is 5-4 all-time against Mulkey’s teams, including her years at Baylor.
This matchup should reignite their rivalry. Fans can look forward to seeing stars like Flau’Jae Johnson and Azzi Fudd on the court.
Big East Dynamics and Seton Hall’s Aspirations
Seton Hall coach Tony Bozzella talked about how tough the Big East has gotten. Since UConn came back to the league in 2021, they’ve been almost impossible to beat.
The Huskies have won five straight regular season and conference tournament titles. Bozzella knows it’s tough to win the automatic NCAA bid, but he’s still hopeful for his team’s at-large chances.
Seton Hall’s Performance
Seton Hall is currently 13-5, with a 7-2 record in Big East play. Four players are averaging double figures, which is honestly pretty impressive.
The Pirates keep things disciplined. They’re 31st nationally in foul rate and 14th in percentage of points allowed from the free throw line.
Bozzella thinks his team is on the NCAA bubble. With a few more wins, maybe they’ll make a strong case for the tournament.
Coaching Changes on the Horizon
There’s growing talk about coaching changes at Penn State and Yale. Carolyn Kieger has led the Nittany Lions since 2019, but things haven’t gone well.
Penn State is 7-12 and winless in conference play at 0-8. Even after a contract extension in 2022, Kieger’s time has been rocky, with allegations of bullying and misconduct swirling.
At this point, it’s hard not to wonder if Penn State will look for new leadership soon.
Yale’s Struggles
Dalila Eshe’s run at Yale hasn’t been easy either. She took over in 2022, and the team is currently 4-12.
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They’re on track for a third straight year with single-digit wins. Key players have left, and the program just hasn’t found its footing.
It’s fair to say questions are swirling about Yale’s future in women’s basketball.
Other Notable Updates
Navy just picked up a forfeit win over Lehigh, who didn’t have enough healthy players to compete. The Midshipmen were preseason favorites in the Patriot League and now sit at 5-1 in conference play.
Zanai Barnett-Gay is leading the way for Navy. She’s putting up strong numbers across several categories and has definitely made her presence felt.
Injury Updates and Player Announcements
Leah Macy, a five-star prospect ranked 19th in the 2025 class, shared on Instagram that she won’t play for Notre Dame this season because of a lower leg injury.
She’s spent about a year rehabbing and says she’s determined to keep working toward a full recovery. It’s tough news, but her attitude seems pretty inspiring.
If you want more details about these updates and what they could mean for women’s college basketball, check out the full article on USA Today.