Columbus, OH – April 10, 2025 — In a blockbuster scheduling move for women’s college basketball, Ohio State and the University of Connecticut (UConn) have announced a home-and-home series beginning in the 2025-26 season. The highly anticipated matchup will renew what has quickly become a must-watch rivalry in the sport, as both programs continue to assert themselves among the national elite.
The series is set to begin with a game in Storrs, Connecticut during the 2025-26 season, followed by a return matchup in Columbus the following year. The agreement marks a significant step for Ohio State, signaling its continued push to play and compete against the best teams in the country.
“We are thrilled to announce this series with UConn,” said Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff in a statement Thursday. “They are one of the most storied programs in women’s basketball history, and these games will provide incredible experiences for our players and fans. This is exactly the type of challenge we want.”
The announcement comes two years after the Buckeyes and Huskies clashed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, a dramatic game that saw Ohio State shock the women’s basketball world by defeating UConn 73-61. That upset snapped UConn’s 14-year Final Four streak and helped solidify Ohio State as a rising powerhouse on the national stage.
Now, both teams will have the chance to rekindle that competitive fire in a two-game series expected to attract national television coverage and major fan attention.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma also expressed enthusiasm about the series. “Playing a team like Ohio State is great for the sport,” Auriemma said. “We have a lot of respect for what Coach McGuff is building. This is going to be a fun, high-level matchup.”
The Buckeyes have been steadily climbing the ranks of women’s college basketball under McGuff, bolstered by strong recruiting classes and standout performances from players like Cotie McMahon and Jacy Sheldon in recent seasons. As they continue to chase national championship aspirations, adding a team like UConn to the regular-season schedule is both a test and a statement.
For UConn, the series represents another opportunity to test themselves against a legitimate contender and maintain their status at the top of the sport. With stars like Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers having recently passed through the program, and a new wave of talent on the way, UConn will bring both prestige and pressure into the series.
Fans from both schools are already circling the date. “This is the kind of game that grows the women’s game,” said one Buckeye fan on social media. “It’s going to be electric.”
Exact dates and venues will be announced later this year, but the excitement is already building. As women’s basketball continues to grow in popularity and competitiveness, marquee matchups like Ohio State vs. UConn are poised to become centerpieces of the college basketball season.
Stay tuned to CBS News for updates as the full 2025-26 schedule is finalized.