Gameday - UConn Hosts Notre Dame 12 noon ET

[Carnac]

UConn plays their first game of the season at Gampel Pavlilion today as the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish pays them a visit. This will be second year coach Niele Ivey's first visit to Storrs as the Irish head coach since taking over for the departed Muffet McGraw. Ivey, who played at Notre Dame under McGraw from 1997–2001 and guided them to their first national title in ‘01, knows plenty well what UConn-Notre Dame matchups mean, even as the Irish are looking to get back atop the sport following two underwhelming seasons.

A heated history: UConn has a complicated past with Notre Dame. While the Irish have looked different since McGraw retired in April 2020 after 33 seasons the helm, the rivalry with the Huskies runs deep and is heated. Most recently, the Irish spoiled UConn’s NCAA Tournament run in the Final Four in 2019 and 2018. Since last winning the championship in 2018, Notre Dame has gone 65-33, including 7-1 so far this season with its lone loss coming from Georgia in overtime (71-67).

Last time out: Notre Dame is coming off a 76-71 win over Michigan State on Thursday. Maddy Westbeld leads the Fighting Irish in scoring with 14.5 points per game.

UConn is 38-13 all-time vs. Notre Dame. The 2020-21 season was the first UConn and Notre Dame didn't face off at least once since 1994-95. The Huskies are 8-0 all-time vs. the Irish in the month of December. The teams' last meeting was an 81-57 UConn win on Dec. 8, 2019, in Gampel Pavilion. Olivia Nelson-Ododa had a double-double in the game with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Geno Auriemma coached against Niele Ivey when she was a student-athlete at Notre Dame from 1997-2001.

At 11 a.m. Sunday before tip, UConn will dedicate its Olympic Monument, which is located on Hillside Road near Gampel's North Entrance. UConn women's basketball has a storied Olympic history, with 16 Olympians and 11 gold medalists coming from the program.

Notre Dame Roster - Head coach Niele Ivey (2nd year)
ND gameday notes
ND WBB gameday news

UConn Roster - Head coach Geno Auriemma (37th year) Auriemma holds a career record of 1,123-145. Auriemma leads the nation with an 88.6 win per- centage and with his win over Butler on Jan. 19, 2021, he passed Pat Summitt for second in wins for Division I women’s basketball coaches with 1,099. Only Tara VanDerveer (Idaho/Ohio State/ Stanford, 1,125) is ahead of Auriemma
UConn gameday notes
UConn 2021-2022 team stats

Here the skinny on today's game -

Site: Gampel Pavilion
Time: Noon ET
Series: UConn leads, 38-13
Last meeting: No. 2 UConn 81, Notre Dame 57, Dec. 8, 2019, in Storrs
TV: FS1 (Pat O’Keefe, Sarah Kustok)
Radio: UConn IMG Sports Network on 97.9 ESPN (Bob Joyce, Debbie Fiske)

Notre Dame probable starters, sixth man:​

Dara Mabrey, G, 5-7, Sr.; Olivia Miles, G, 5-10, Fr.; Maya Dodson, F, 6-3, Gr.; Maddy Westbeld, F, 6-3, So.; Anaya Peoples, G, 5-10, Jr.; Sonia Citron, G, 6-1, Fr.

UConn probable starters, sixth man:​

Christyn Williams, G, 5-11, Sr.; Olivia Nelson-Ododa, F, 6-5, Sr.; Evina Westbrook, G, 6-0, R-Sr.; Paige Bueckers, G, 5-11, So.; Aaliyah Edwards, F, 6-3, So.; Nika Muhl, G, 5-10, So.

UConn keys: Auriemma has not been pleased with his team’s half-court offense this season. If that continues to be a weak point against the Irish, the Huskies will need to come through with excellent defense that can keep it a low-scoring game but also allow them to get out in transition, where the Huskies have a much easier time scoring. Rebounding will also be key, which UConn did well on Friday against the undersized Pirates.

Players to watch: The Huskies could use strong afternoons from Williams and Westbrook, who haven’t been the most consistent the last few games and need to step up even more with the absence of Azzi Fudd.

Massey Sez: UConn 72 - Notre Dame 64

Last night in Big East WBB
Up next for the UConn women: @ Georgia Tech Thurs Dec 9 7:00 pm ET ESPN2 (ONO's homecoming game)

 

[Huskee11]

This is the first game that most of the UConn players will play for UConn at Gampel in front of fans. All except Christyn and Olivia, believe it or not. (Dorka may have played there for OSU, and Aubrey is still out.)

So if you are there, like me, really get behind them!!

 

[eebmg]

Very happy Sarah Kustok is doing the game.

Maybe Sue will make it to the broadcasting booth. Some insights on Paige. I am sure they will get together.

 

[Carnac]

This is the first game that most of the UConn players will play for UConn at Gampel in front of fans. All except Christyn and Olivia, believe it or not. (Dorka may have played there for OSU, and Aubrey is still out.)

So if you are there, like me, really get behind them!!

Enjoy the game Huskee 11. How about a "words eye view" report after the game for us poor souls that are relegated to watching the game on TV? You'll see/hear things we won't.