Syracuse Seeks March Madness Upset Against UConn

Orange look to replicate 2024 near-miss against defending champions

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:18pm

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Two years after Syracuse nearly upset the UConn Huskies in the NCAA Tournament, the Orange get another chance to take down the defending national champions. Led by junior guard Sophie Burrows, who had six 3-pointers in the 2024 matchup, Syracuse aims to capitalize on the experience of that close call and pull off the upset on Monday. Despite the loss of starting point guard Dominique Darius to injury, the Orange remain confident they can compete with the top-seeded Huskies.

Why it matters

This game is a rematch of a thrilling 2024 NCAA Tournament second-round matchup that saw Syracuse push the dominant Huskies to the brink. The Orange's ability to challenge UConn at Gampel Pavilion, one of the toughest home courts in women's basketball, has raised expectations for another competitive contest between these two programs.

The details

In the 2024 meeting, Syracuse led by as many as three points late in the fourth quarter before UConn's Paige Bueckers took over to lead the Huskies to a narrow 72-64 victory. Burrows hit six 3-pointers in that game, showcasing the Orange's ability to hang with the powerhouse Huskies. This year, Syracuse will be without starting point guard Dominique Darius, who suffered an injury and underwent surgery, but her teammates Maddy Potts and Olivia Schmitt have stepped up in her absence with Darius providing valuable mentorship from the bench.

  • The 2024 second-round matchup between UConn and Syracuse took place two years ago.
  • The 2026 NCAA Tournament rematch between UConn and Syracuse is scheduled for Monday.

The players

Felisha Legette-Jack

The head coach of the Syracuse Orange women's basketball team.

Sophie Burrows

A junior guard for the Syracuse Orange who had six 3-pointers in the 2024 matchup against UConn.

Ashlynn Shade

A junior guard for the UConn Huskies who played in the 2024 game against Syracuse.

KK Arnold

A junior guard for the UConn Huskies who played in the 2024 game against Syracuse and hit a key 3-pointer late in the contest.

Dominique Darius

The starting point guard for the Syracuse Orange who suffered an injury and is out for the NCAA Tournament, but is still contributing from the bench as a mentor to her teammates.

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What they’re saying

“Coming into this game, we need to go in with confidence. Obviously, we need to respect them, they are an amazing program but in 40 minutes anyone can beat anyone. We don't need to be better than them for the whole tournament, we have to be better than them for 40 minutes.”

— Sophie Burrows, Junior guard, Syracuse Orange

“I just mentioning how nostalgic it was playing in that game. Great memories and a great atmosphere we had, I can't wait for the same atmosphere.”

— KK Arnold, Junior guard, UConn Huskies

“The thing about tournament time is if you don't have your 'A' game, anybody can beat you on any given night. It just emphasizes the standard that we hold ourselves to and anytime we step onto the court, we want to uphold that standard.”

— Ashlynn Shade, Junior guard, UConn Huskies

“It was hard. That was the second game that I missed. It is hard not to be out there, but I trust my teammates and what they are able to do out there. I am able to watch them, kind of like a fan.”

— Dominique Darius, Starting point guard, Syracuse Orange

“She has helped me with different plays and who to go to. It means a lot. She is a great teammate and I am really happy to have her on the team to learn from.”

— Maddy Potts, Syracuse Orange player

What’s next

The winner of the UConn-Syracuse matchup will advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This game serves as a reminder that even the mightiest programs can be challenged in the unpredictable environment of March Madness. Syracuse's ability to push UConn to the brink two years ago has set the stage for another potential upset, underscoring the excitement and drama of the NCAA Tournament.