The UConn men and women will be throwing it back to the old Big East days to kick off the season, as both programs will face Syracuse in the Hall of Fame Exhibition series at Mohegan Sun Arena.
The women’s game is set for Monday, Oct. 12 and the men’s game Tuesday, Oct. 13. Times and broadcast info have yet to be announced.
Last season both teams faced Boston College at Mohegan, with the women winning 84-67 and the men winning 71-52. The men’s program also opened the preseason at the inaugural Hall of Fame Exhibition event in 2024 and beat Rhode Island, 102-75.
“We’re excited to once again compete in the Basketball Hall of Fame Exhibition Game,” Geno Auriemma said. “It’s a great opportunity for UConn fans to see our men’s and women’s teams in action against a familiar rival to kick off the 2026-27 season. The Hall of Fame puts together great matchups at Mohegan, and this year will be no exception.”
“Opening the exhibition slate with the Hall of Fame game at Mohegan Sun has been awesome the last few years and we’re excited to do it again,” Dan Hurley said. “Matching up with an old rival in Syracuse at a first-class venue is exciting for our fans as they’ll be able to get their first look at our new team in live action. The Hall of Fame always puts on a high-level production with a big-game feel that will prepare us for our marquee early season matchups.”
UConn and Syracuse were both members of the Big East from 1979-2013. The Huskies women are 41-13 all-time against the Orange, while the men are 39-56.
The women beat Syracuse 98-45 in last year’s NCAA Tournament, while the men last faced them in 2018.
The exhibition will be the first of three preseason games for the men, with prior announced matchups at Michigan State on a date TBD and home to Purdue on Oct. 27. The women announced a home exhibition against Texas on Oct. 19.
Tickets for the 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame Exhibition will go on sale on Wednesday, August 12, via Ticketmaster and at the Mohegan Sun Arena Box Office.
Visit hoophall.com for more information.
