UConn Women's Basketball Seeks Big East Tournament Title Defense

The top-ranked Huskies enter the conference tournament with a 47-game win streak and 67 consecutive Big East victories.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The UConn women's basketball team, ranked No. 1 in the nation and the defending national champion, will look to defend its Big East tournament title at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Led by sophomore sensation Sarah Strong, who was named Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, the Huskies enter the tournament riding a 47-game win streak and 67 consecutive Big East victories.

Why it matters

UConn's dominance in the Big East has been unparalleled, and the team's continued success in the conference tournament is a testament to their excellence. As the Huskies seek to extend their reign, the tournament will showcase the depth and talent of the Big East, which has produced several top-ranked teams in recent years.

The details

The 2026 Big East women's basketball tournament begins on Friday, March 6 and runs through Monday, March 9 at Mohegan Sun Arena. UConn, led by sophomore Sarah Strong, who was named Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, will look to defend its title. Strong ranks seventh nationally in steals, 15th in assist-turnover ratio, and 15th in field goal percentage. Freshman Blanca Quiñonez was named the conference's Freshman and Sixth Woman of the Year, while Strong and graduate student Azzi Fudd were unanimously selected first-team All-Big East, joined by junior guard KK Arnold.

  • The 2026 Big East women's basketball tournament begins on Friday, March 6.
  • The quarterfinals are scheduled for Saturday, March 7 at noon ET.
  • The semifinals are set for Saturday, March 7 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
  • The championship game is scheduled for Monday, March 9 at 7 p.m. ET.

The players

Sarah Strong

A sophomore sensation who was named the Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. She ranks seventh nationally in steals, 15th in assist-turnover ratio, and 15th in field goal percentage, and is averaging 18.6 points per game.

Blanca Quiñonez

A freshman who was named the Big East Freshman and Sixth Woman of the Year.

Azzi Fudd

A graduate student guard who was unanimously selected first-team All-Big East.

KK Arnold

A junior guard who was selected first-team All-Big East.

Geno Auriemma

The UConn head coach who was selected as the Big East Coach of the Year.

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What’s next

The championship game of the 2026 Big East women's basketball tournament is scheduled for Monday, March 9 at 7 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

UConn's continued dominance in the Big East highlights the program's excellence and the conference's overall strength in women's basketball. As the Huskies seek to extend their reign, the tournament will showcase the depth of talent in the Big East and the competitive nature of the conference.