Breaking down the UConn men's basketball team's 2026-27 schedule

Silas Demary Jr. #5, Junior County #0 and Colben Landrew #3 of the Connecticut Huskies react during the second half of an NCAA men's exhibition basketball game against the Syracuse Orange at Mohegan Sun Arena on October 13, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) (Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) The UConn men's basketball team faces the most challenging non-conference schedule in program history, followed immediately by a 20-game run through a Big East that could get five or six NCAA Tournament bids.Tough sledding, but it should all benefit the Huskies come March.Breaking down UConn's 2026-27 schedule:Monday, Nov. 2 vs. Gardner-Webb, 9 p.m. at PeoplesBank Arena (Peacock/NBCSN)Huskies face the Runnin' Bulldogs for the first time in 19 years … after facing them twice in a five-day span in 2007! Nightcap of a men's/women's doubleheader tipped off with the UConn women facing Cornell at 5 p.m.Friday, Nov. 6 vs. Michigan, 8 p.m. at TD Garden, Boston (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)An immediate rematch of April's national championship game, only with a lot of new faces, not the least of whom is former Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton, now the head man after Dusty May bolted for the NBA shortly after winning his natty. Braylon Mullins #24 of the UConn Huskies controls the ball as Elliot Cadeau #3 of the Michigan Wolverines defends in the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 06, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) Monday, Nov. 9 vs. Wagner, 7 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion (truTV)A bout with the program Dan Hurley got his start with as a head coach will also be a homecoming for Youssouf Singare, the 6-foot-11 center who spent two seasons in Storrs, including the 2023-24 national-champion team.Friday, Nov. 13 vs. Ohio State, 7:30 p.m. at PeoplesBank Arena, Hartford (TNT)Buckeyes should be tough, led by high-scoring returning guard John Mobley Jr. (15.7 ppg) as well as Scottie Pippen's son, Justin.Wednesday, Nov. 18 Arizona, 9 p.m. at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz. (FS1)Wildcats handed UConn its only non-conference, regular-season loss last year, traipsing into Gampel on Nov. 19 as the No. 1 team in the nation and edging an undermanned Huskies team 71-67. Now, the Huskies will try to exact revenge in the second part of a home-and-home series.Wednesday, Nov. 25 vs. Duke, 7 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas (Prime)Quite possibly the most anticipated non-conference game of the entire college basketball season. You know the history: Christian Laettner's buzzer-beater in 1990, UConn's national title win in 1999 and Final Four triumph in 2004, the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes and, of course, Braylon Mullins' Boozer-beater last March. Duke guard Cayden Boozer (2) and head coach Jon Scheyer call a play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida State in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nell Redmond/AP) Monday, Nov. 30 vs. Rider, 6:30 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion (FS1)Tucked precipitously between an Elite Eight rematch with Duke and a Final Four rematch in Vegas, the Broncs can only hope the Huskies overlook them a bit (unlikely with Hurley at the helm). Friday, Dec. 4 vs. Illinois, 7 p.m. at United Center, Chicago (FOX)The 30-0 run in 2024. Victories last season at Madison Square Garden and in the Final Four. No one has been more of a thorn in Brad Underwood and the Illini's side in recent years than Hurley and the Huskies. Does that finally change with veteran Illini team led by its "Balkan brothers" and high-scoring Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks? INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 04: Head Coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies, right, meets with Head Coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini before the start of their game in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) (Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) Tuesday, Dec. 8 vs. Mississippi Valley State, 7 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion (truTV)Hurley typically tries to schedule at least one historically black college/univiersity (HBCU) each season, and he's playing two this season. Jerry Rice's alma mater will be the first.Saturday, Dec. 12 vs. Kansas, 8 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion (FOX)Probably the highlight of UConn's home schedule, even if this may not be one of Bill Self's vintage Jayhawk teams. Or maybe it will be, led by No. 1 2026 recruit Tyran Stokes. Either way, it's the first-ever trip to Gampel for Self and the Jayhawks. Fun stuff. LAWRENCE, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks watches from the bench area during the 2nd half of the game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Allen Fieldhouse on November 28, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Tuesday, Dec. 15 vs. Delaware State, 7 p.m. at PeoplesBank Arena (truTV)The Huskies' second game this season against an HBCU program features a pair of CT products: Former Bassick High star Isaiah Sullivan of Bridgeport, and ex-Xavier High standout Anthony Parker of Middletown.Sunday, Dec. 20 vs. Virginia, 3 p.m. at Madison Square Garden (ESPN)Dan Hurley used to like playing Virginia in closed-door scrimmages, but this one will be on a far bigger stage: the World's Most Famous Arena. And the Cavaliers will present a major challenge, led by All-American candidate Thijs de Ridder.Wednesday, Dec. 23 vs. Georgetown, 3 p.m. at PeoplesBank Arena (Peacock/NBCSN)It's always fun when Ed Cooley visits the Nutmeg State, this time in UConn's Big East opener a couple of days before Christmas. Head coach Ed Cooley of the Georgetown Hoyas reacts during the first half of the 2026 Big East Men's Tournament - Quarterfinal game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier/Getty Images) Thursday, Dec. 31 at Butler, 7 p.m. at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis (FS1)Braylon Mullins' latest return home won't require a 35-footer at the buzzer this time.Sunday, Jan. 3 at Creighton, 2 p.m. at CHI Health Center, Omaha, Neb. (NBC)Greg McDermott is no longer the head coach, replaced by Alan Huss. Huss Bus, anyone?Wednesday, Jan. 6 vs. DePaul, 6:30 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion (FS1)Chris Holtmann has done a terrific job here, but momentum could be tough to maintain in deeper Big EastSaturday, Jan. 9 at Seton Hall, 7 p.m. at Prudential Center, Newark, N.J. (Peacock/NBCSN)Don't expect Bob Hurley Sr. to make the short trip to Newark.Tuesday, Jan. 12 vs. Marquette, 7 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion (TNT)Shaka Smart finally hit the portal, but Golden Eagles still have Big East's top retention rate, led by POY candidate Nigel James Jr. Marquette's Nigel James Jr., right, drives to the basket past UConn's Silas Demary Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash) (Aaron Gash/AP) Saturday, Jan. 16 vs. Xavier, noon at Gampel Pavilion (FOX or FS1)Musketeers tripled their NIL budget and brought in four double-figure scorersWednesday, Jan. 20 at Providence, 7 p.m. at Amica Mutual Pavlion (Peacock/NBCSN)Let's just say relationship between new, cocky Friar coach Brian Hodgson and Hurley could get ... interestingSaturday, Jan. 23 vs. Butler, noon at PeoplesBank Arena (TNT)Ronald Nored, a standout on Bulldogs' back-to-back national semifinalists in 2010, 2011, is the new head coachTuesday, Jan. 26 at Georgetown, 8 p.m. at Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. (FS1)Memo to Ed Cooley: Guard Braylon Mullins from 35 feet on this floor.Friday, Jan. 29 at St. John's, 8 p.m. at Madison Square Garden, New York (FOX)Big East's best current rivalry spiced up by Hurley's open dismay at programs (like Rick Pitino's) nabbing 23-year-old Euros and fifth-year players previously ruled ineligible. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Head coach Rick Pitino of the St. John's Red Storm looks on during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Wednesday, Feb. 3 vs. Villanova, 7 p.m. at PeoplesBank Arena (Peacock/NBCSN)Seven-foot Italian Luigi Suigo could be Big East's top newcomerSunday, Feb. 7 vs. Creighton, 4:30 p.m. at PeoplesBank Arena (FOX)New coach but plenty of returning players for Bluejays, including Jackson McAndrew, back after season-ending injuryWednesday, Feb. 10 at DePaul, 8:30 p.m. at Wintrust Arena, Chicago (FS1)Huskies' second trip to Windy City this season, after Dec. 4 visit to face Illinois at United CenterSunday, Feb. 14 at Villanova, noon at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia (FOX)Huskies hope Super Bowl Sunday doesn't become Suigo Bowl SundayWednesday, Feb. 17 vs. Seton Hall, 8 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion (FS1)Pirates lost just about everybody (again) to portal, including UConn sophomore big Na'jai HinesSaturday, Feb. 20 at Marquette, 2:30 p.m. at Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee (FOX)Hey Dan, try not to get ejected this time.Saturday, Feb. 27 vs. Providence, 8 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion (FOX)Friars dealt a tough blow with Dink Pate leaving school to return to G-League, but still should be competitive.Tuesday, March 2 vs. St. John's, 7:30 p.m. at PeoplesBank Arena (TNT)Let's hope Beacon Falls' Avery Brown has a better homecoming this season than last. And for Huskies' sake, the result is similar to last year's record-breaking, 32-point dusting of the Johnnies in Hartford.Saturday, March 6 at Xavier, 2:30 p.m. at Cintas Center, Cincinnati (TNT)Huskies wrap up regular season on road vs. Dan Hurley's favorite Pitino, RichardSign up for the Connecticut Briefing from CT Insider. Get the biggest headlines of the day from our network of journalists around the state.This article originally published at Breaking down the UConn men's basketball team's 2026-27 schedule.