I suspect UConn will eventually have some sort of series with Notre Dame, once all the dust settles with their move to the ACC. But, for the interim, I don't think it's a bad idea for a little hiatus.
Remember, the two teams have played 4 times per season - 4! - for 3 years running, and 3 times in the season before that. In a 4-year window of 154 games, 15 of 'em have been against the Irish. I find it unlikely that any other major college program, men's or women's, would have played nearly 10% of their entire 4-year schedule against just one opponent. And, don't forget, not against just any opponent, but a national top-tier team, almost always on national TV, with tremendous emphasis. You may remember, after just a few years of playing UConn twice per season, Pat Summitt backed it off to one, because two games of this kind of attention created a negative distraction to the UTenn program. It adversely affected preparation for conference games leading into the game, and had a bit of a hangover effect afterwards.
Now, do that several years running, plus it's a major conference game, plus, as it turns out, add another that means winning the conference tourney, and, add yet another that means getting to the national championship.
The old adage "familiarity breeds contempt" may also apply here, somewhat. Things can - and did - get a bit chippy, when facing a rival, yet again, with so much at stake. There aren't too many surprises, just force of will, and it can get personal - which, only adds to the pressure, and the difficulty of performing at peak proficiency.
Yes, it's been a great rivalry, and there have been some great games. I suspect there will be again, but, I think a little "breather" isn't a bad idea at all, for both schools. Let the dust settle, passions cool just a bit, remove some of the over-familiarity, and let there be a return of a little novelty and mystery to the contest.
