UConn Daily Digest: On to Delaware

Also: Men's hoops schedule and a new tax credit to support Husky sports.

In partnership with

Welcome to this week’s UConn Daily Digest, and thank you for being a subscriber. Are you ready for the return of an old football rivalry?

You can also find our work in Storrs Central, the UConn Blog on SB Nation, the UConn WBB Weekly, UConn Hockey Hub, Hook C Baseball, and Husky Football Forum newsletters! Please consider sharing or supporting our work!

Headlines

Men’s basketball reveals Big East schedule

The full UConn men’s basketball slate is set. The dates and venues of the final twenty games are now known on the Huskies’ schedule following the release of the Big East calendar. 

Here are the three biggest nights of the conference slate:

Jan. 4 - Marquette at UConn

The Huskies upset then-No. 9 Marquette on the road last year to make it five straight against the Golden Eagles. This year, UConn will get an early test in league play when it hosts Shaka Smart’s squad on January 4th at Gampel. Their meeting in the regular-season finale will also be a marquee event on March 7th.

Feb. 6 - UConn at St. John’s 

This will be a rager on a Friday night in MSG. The Huskies and Red Storm will meet for the first time in the most anticipated matchup of the conference slate. UConn will host the second meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the PeoplesBank Arena.

Feb. 18 - Creighton at UConn

Last year, Liam McNeeley had to move mountains to give the Huskies a win on the road at Creighton. After UConn returns to Omaha on Jan. 31, the Huskies will host the Blue Jays Feb. 18 in a big late-season matchup at Gampel Pavilion. 

Fumble in Syracuse

The Huskies were on the verge of a marquee win. The possibilities of a 10-win season, or better, seemed greater than ever as they picked off Syracuse in the fourth quarter with an 11-point lead.

But the offense went cold, and the defense allowed two touchdowns in the final six minutes. What should have been a resounding win swiftly became a demoralizing loss. It could have been UConn’s first win over Syracuse since 2011, and first 2-0 start since 2015. Instead, the Huskies are 1-1, looking to rebound on the road.

UConn did not play perfectly by any means, but the Huskies earned their lead. In the end, run-game struggles stalled the offense as Cam Edwards finished with 75 yards on 21 carries. In the first half, Mel Brown took four carries for 64 yards and this powerful touchdown run. In the second half, he carried the ball once.

Head coach Jim Mora was visibly frustrated following the game. He answered two questions in a short post-game press conference.

“It’s simple, I mean everyone wants to read more into it (but) it comes down to your ability to put your players in a position to make a play and them making the plays,” he said. “And we did not do that. (Syracuse) did.”

The Huskies move on to face Delaware in a game where they’re favored by 10.5 points against the new FBS program. Delaware is 124th in ESPN’s SP+ rankings while UConn is 70th.

But Delaware is a solid program, and a new member of Conference USA. UConn fans shouldn’t overlook the next opponent, even though the Huskies have talent advantages all over. Expect the offense to establish the run and for the defense to assert itself if things go smoothly for Mora’s squad.

We don’t know fully what to expect from UD after watching them beat up an FCS team in Week 1 and get beaten up at Colorado in Week 2. Both games were closer than their final scores suggest, as the winning team needed a big second half in both cases to pull away.

The game kicks off at 3 p.m. on ESPN+

Photo: University of Delaware Athletics

UConn’s new tax credit 

There are some new potential perks on the table for Connecticut taxpayers who support UConn athletics. 

The state is rolling out a new tax credit program for donations made to the university and sponsorship partners. For donations between $5,000 and $1 million, the tax credit, equal to 50% of the donation, incentivizes donations to the athletics fund. 

Local companies engaging in NIL partnership agreements with UConn athletes or licensing agreements with the school can also earn tax credits. The deal must be worth a minimum of $5,000 and be approved by the school. A sponsorship deal of $25,000 or more qualifies for the tax credit on licensing agreements.

Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Weekly Rewind

Men’s Basketball

Dylan Mingo Prospect Profile (9/5 Official Visit) ($) – The 16-year-old from New York is a five-star recruit. 

UConn men’s basketball releases 2025-26 Big East schedule – From mid-December through early March, the Huskies will run the Big East gauntlet yet again. 

No First Night Festivities This Year - one less chance to see the Huskies before the season. But with open practices and two preseason games, some other opportunities exist.

From UConn’s statement on Friday:

Due to ongoing renovations at Gampel Pavilion designed to enhance the gameday experience, UConn's annual First Night basketball event will not be held in 2025. The UConn Huskies look forward to seeing our students and fans out in force in the Basketball Capital of the World this season.

Women’s Basketball

Tina Charles receives WNBA Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award – This is Charles’ second time being recognized for her philanthropic efforts. 

WNBA photo gallery: Atlanta Dream @ Connecticut Sun - 9/10/25 – It was a game to forget for the Sun, who lost 88-72. 

Sue Bird blazed her own trail into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame – Bird was one of the stars of the early years of the WNBA.

Maya Moore has ‘no regrets’ about basketball career as she enters Naismith Hall of Fame – After retiring at 29, Moore continues to feel she made the right decision and the most of her playing days. 

Weekly: Who are UConn’s next Hall of Famers? – Diana Taurasi will surely follow Bird and Moore, but who else can make the case for themselves down the line?

Football

Coach Jim Mora Postgame Media Availability (Syracuse) - 9.6.25 – Hear briefly from UConn’s leader following the loss to Syracuse. 

Beyond the Box Score: PFF Grades Week 2 - Syracuse – How did each Husky grade out in the loss? 

UConn football Week 3 Media Availability - Mora, Brown & Mills – The team offers its insight ahead of its trip to Delaware. 

Delaware Game Week Thread ($) – Join the conversation around UConn’s Week 3 matchup!

UConn Ready to Rebound Against Old/New Rival Delaware – The Blue Hens are officially an FBS team, reigniting the old feud that once burned bright between the two teams. 

Hockey

UConn receives commitments from Lirim and Nathan Amidvoski – The two brothers committed as a duo.

How UConn transformed its lackluster power play unit into a juggernaut ($) – Associate head coach Tyler Helton got an assist from… Dan Hurley?

UConn women’s hockey reveals new uniforms – A new jersey manufacturer brings a sleeker look.

If you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend or two - it would mean a lot to us!

Be sure to follow The UConn Blog!

Reply

or to participate.