UConn basketball schedule 2024-25: Baylor, Gonzaga among Huskies’ top nonconference games

UConn begins its pursuit of a third consecutive NCAA Tournament championship when it opens the 2024-25 season on Nov. 6 at home against Sacred Heart. The Huskies face New Hampshire, Le Moyne, and Texas A&M-Commerce before heading to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational. The Huskies will open that tournament against Memphis and, if the stars align, could face Michigan State in the following round.

The Maui Invitational isn’t the only marquee nonconference game the two-time reigning national champions will be part of. Perhaps the most intriguing game on the slate is a matchup against Baylor at home in early December. That game is part of the Big 12-Big East Challenge and is arguably the best game in the series.

Another top nonconference game is UConn’s matchup with Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden. This will mark the fifth all-time meeting between the accomplished programs. UConn defeated Gonzaga 76-63 last season in Seattle.

Despite losing Stephon Castle, Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer to the NBA, UConn returns potential All-American candidate Alex Karaban. The Huskies added highly touted recruits Ahmad Nowell and Liam McNeeley and former Saint Mary’s star Aidan Mahaney via the transfer portal.

Here are the top five UConn nonconference games to watch this season.

1. Baylor

When: Dec. 4, 2024 Where: Home

The best nonconference game on UConn’s schedule is a home game against Baylor. The Bears loaded up in the transfer portal by landing former Duke star guard Jeremy Roach and Miami big man Norchad Omier to pair with returning guard Langston Love. 

Baylor also has three top-100 recruits from the 2024 recruiting cycle coming to campus: V.J. Edgecombe, Rob Wright, and Jason Asemota. Edgecombe projects as a potential top-5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

2. vs. Gonzaga

When: Dec. 14, 2024 Where: Madison Square Garden (New York)

Gonzaga has the luxury of returning most of its starting production from a team that reached the Sweet 16 and should offer UConn a valuable test ahead of Big East play. Gonzaga returns Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Ben Gregg, and Ike. The Bulldogs also added Pepperdine transfer Michael Ajayi, who averaged 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds last season.

This will be a rematch of the 2023 Elite Eight in Las Vegas and the fifth all-time meeting between the programs.

3. vs. Memphis (Maui Invitational)

When: Nov. 25-27, 2024 Where: Lahaina Civic Center (Maui, Hawaii)

It’s never a dull offseason at Memphis under Penny Hardaway. The University of Memphis acknowledged to Sports Illustrated earlier this month that it has handed over a letter to the NCAA from an anonymous author that alleges multiple rules violations within the men’s basketball program.

On the court, Memphis should have a talented squad. The Tigers added Ole Miss big man Moussa Cisse, Texas guard Tyrese Hunter and Tulsa star PJ Haggerty via the transfer portal. This game should be an entertaining opener in Hawaii.

4. at Texas

When: Dec. 8, 2024 Where: Moody Center (Austin, Texas)

UConn’s lone true road game in nonconference play will come against Texas in Austin. This matchup is part of a brutal three-game stretch that includes games against Baylor and Gonzaga sprinkled in between.

The Longhorns added former Oregon State star Jordan Pope, Arkansas guard Tramon Mark and Kansas State big man Arthur Kaluma via the transfer portal. Texas also brings in five-star SG Tre Johnson, who projects as a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

5. vs. Colorado/Michigan State (Maui Invitational)

When: Nov. 25-27, 2024 Where: Lahaina Civic Center (Maui, Hawaii)

UConn will play Colorado or Michigan State in the next round of the Maui Invitational. If UConn wins its first game and advances to the winners bracket, a meeting with the Spartans with the right to advance to the Maui Invitational title game could be on the table.

 Tyson Walker, Malik Hall and A.J. Hoggard — MSU’s top three scorers from last season — are gone, but the program returns veteran guard Jaden Akins. Xavier Booker, Jeremy Fears and Coen Carr — three members of Michigan State’s star-studded 2023 recruiting class — are expected to see their respective roles increase. 

UConn’s 2024-25 nonconference schedule