Two NCAA women’s basketball Top 10 teams, No. 1 UConn Huskies and No. 6 Michigan Wolverines, face at the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut on Friday.
The basketball Hall of Fame Showcase also features Syracuse and Utah.
UConn Faces Michigan for First Time
Both the Huskies and Wolverines have undefeated records heading into Friday’s matchup in Uncasville.
During Thursday’s practice, UConn brought in alum and Connecticut Sun forward Tina Charles to give forwards Sarah Strong and Serah Williams some guidance and advice to improve their play in the post.
Serah Williams on playing against Tina Charles in practice today:
— Storrs Central (@StorrsCentral) November 20, 2025
“It was fun. It was definitely an experience. She’s strong… It was definitely cool. I was on the sideline like, ‘Wow, this is Tina Charles at practice.'” pic.twitter.com/rssmxejBcA
The Wolverines have won four games to begin the season, including a blowout of No. 24 Notre Dame last Saturday.
Throughout the game, the Wolverines’ defense limited Hannah Hidalgo‘s scorching-hot scoring and Notre Dame shot 28.3 percent from the field. Michigan also won the rebounding battle, 50-28, had four players scoring in double figures, and players off the bench contributed on both ends of the court.
The Wolverines leaped up from No. 14 to No. 6 in the last Associated Press Top 25 poll.
Michigan has a big test versus the Huskies, who are the reigning national champions, while building on their experience from last season’s NCAA tournament run.
Game Vitals
Who: No. 1 UConn Huskies (4-0) vs. No. 6 Michigan Wolverines (4-0)
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
When: Friday, 8 p.m. ET (FOX/UConn Sports Network)
Who’s Favored: UConn -4.5 (O/U: 140.5)
Wolverine to Watch: Olivia Olson
Guard Olivia Olson, who was named on the preseason All-Big 10’s team by both coaches and media, is off to an impressive start in her sophomore campaign with the Wolverines.
Through four games, she is averaging 17.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 53.7 percent from the field.
Olson is known for being a versatile and all-around talent. She has the ability to score, make plays, and length to boot. She is also known for her hustle on both ends.
In order for the Wolverines to win this game, Olson will need to put up big scoring numbers and the team not get behind early.
Husky to Watch: Sarah Strong
UConn forward Sarah Strong is off to a dominant start on both ends of the court in her sophomore season.
During Saturday’s win over the Ohio State Buckeyes, she posting an impressive 29 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, five steals, and three blocks. As a result, she received the Big East Player of the Week award for the second week in a row.
Strong, who is a name to watch for NCAA Player of the Year, is hard to guard because of her versatility, ability to defend and score aggressively in the paint.
They Said It
“Because of all the playing time they got last year, I think they may be a little more, a little further ahead than you would think, … They all handle the ball well. They all shoot it pretty well. They’re good defensive players for the most part. They have great chemistry together.” – UConn head coach Geno Auriemma on Michigan’s core. (Maggie Vanoni of CT Insider)
“She’s strong. She’s very strong. And she gave me feedback and tips, and I just listened and took them with open ears. And it was definitely cool. Like, I was on the sideline, and I was like, ‘Wow, like, Tina Charles is in practice.’ ” – UConn senior forward Serah Williams on learning from Tina Charles at Thursday’s practice. (Maggie Vanoni of CT Insider)
“I’m like, ‘oh, we have to open up against this team now, this year, we got Notre Dame, we got UConn, we got’ and they’re like, ‘coach, that’s why we came here. That’s what we want.’ “They’re embracing these opportunities and they’re just built a little different.” – Michigan women’s basketball head coach Kim Barnes-Arico said on facing the UConn Huskies. (Thomas Costello of The IX Basketball).
“Brooke [Quarles-Daniels] was tasked with probably the hardest task of the night, of guarding Hannah [Hidalgo] after a career night. And so I think she bought in, she got the stops, she put everything out there. We want to play for that, we want to play for her, of doing that, and just as a team, I think we all bought into that.” – Michigan sophomore guard Olivia Olson on how Brooke Quarles-Daniels guarded Hannah Hidalgo in Wolverines’ blowout win over Notre Dame. (Thomas Costello of The IX Basketball).
UConn-Michigan Prediction
The UConn Huskies are defending national champions for a great reason, as they have different lethal weapons and, of course, long-time head coach Geno Auriemma.
The Michigan Wolverines have players who can contribute on both ends of the court and are led by head coach Kim Barnes-Arico, who was on St. John’s staff when it snapped UConn’s home streak in February 2012.
The Wolverines have a tall task of facing the Huskies’ frontcourt of Strong and Williams, who transferred from Wisconsin in the offseason, as both of them have given opponents problems so far this season.
By the end of the game, Michigan will have a lot to build on after being unable to slow the Huskies down in a tough road showcase.
UConn- 84, Michigan- 60
