The UConn Huskies women’s basketball team enjoyed a fantastic fusion in their weekend victory over Florida State.
It was perhaps in danger of disappearing, but “banner day” for the NCAA women’s basketball program could well be included on the itineraries of returning students on the University of Connecticut’s Storrs campus.
UConn gave the first 11 national championship banners that hover over the Gampel Pavilion playing surface another sibling on Sunday, as the Huskies raised No. 12 prior to their Storrs season premiere against Florida State. It was the first time that the maintenance staff ventured to the rafters for such an occasion since 2016, the longest gap since UConn’s first national triumph was earned in 1995.
With a solid contingent returning, the Huskies then continued work on adding a 13th, silencing the Seminoles by a 99-67 final in their 35th consecutive home opening victory. It was essentially business as usual for Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma, who had already run out of finger space to showcase his 12 rings.
“Quite honestly, for me, it feels a little more detached,” Auriemma said, per Don Amore of the Hartford Courant. “I’m consciously or subconsciously separated from it all. I’m almost looking at it from the outside instead of being on the inside … Like at the parade, I’m just watching everything in front of me, getting a kick out of people’s reactions. Truly, this one has felt way, way different than all the rest. I’m just an innocent bystander.”
Sunday served as a de facto celebration of UConn’s past, present, and future.
Auriemma, of course, now sits in the familiar spot of drawing attention away from the recognition of past exploits and into a brighter present. UConn (2-0) has handled business in that regard, taking down No. 20 Louisville in a neutral-site triumph in Annapolis last weekend before handling further business against FSU.
That was enough for the Huskies to retain the top ranking in the latest Associated Press poll, picking up all but two first-place entries (the other couple going to runner-up South Carolina).
Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong Dominate for UConn on Banner Night
What was and what’s now merged when Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, two of the retained starters from last spring’s curtailing of South Carolina, united for 44 points in 44 minutes to make relatively quick work of the Seminoles (2-1). Holding a slim 8-7 lead just past the halfway mark of the opening quarter, FSU never led again after Fudd, Strong, and fellow returnee KK Arnold posted a 7-0 run to create a lasting advantage.
Once UConn sanity prevailed, other relative relics got their turns to shine, as oft-injured assets Caroline Ducharme and Ayanna Patterson (returning to Storrs action for the first time in nearly 1,000 days) were offered extended showcases in the second half.
The superstar duo of Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong at the half 🔥
— Storrs Central (@StorrsCentral) November 9, 2025
Strong: 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks
Fudd: 20 points, 3 assists, 2 steals pic.twitter.com/OMJ8oVpr63
UConn’s Rising Stars
The next generation, however, likewise took a turn in the spotlight: while touted portal gain Serah Williams (Wisconsin) is still seeking her Storrs legs, Southern California transfer Kayleigh Heckel had 12 points and six steals off the bench while upgraded underclassman Allie Ziebell did a little of everything with seven points, four boards, two steals, and an assist.
It was enough to enthuse the perfection-seeking Auriemma, who was warmly reminded of the championship banners that hang not from Gampel’s rafters, but those stationed at the Werth Basketball Center, UConn’s practice facility. Those banners showcase not only the year and Final Four logo, but also the names of every participant from the victorious trek.
Banner No. 12 is officially in the Gampel rafters pic.twitter.com/qedtC0qulU
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) November 10, 2025
“As I’ve gotten to this age, I’ve started to think more about, ‘They’re all incredibly significant to the people who won them, the people on those teams,'” Auriemma said, per Declan Walsh of CT Insider. “That’s why on our banners in our practice facility, we actually have the names of our entire roster on the banner so you can remember that’s kind of who it means the most to.”
The Huskies return to action in Storrs on Wednesday when they take on Loyola Chicago (7:30 p.m. ET, TruTV).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
