Orange Face #1 UConn in NCAA Tournament Monday Night Syracuse University’s women’s basketball team will face its most challenging test of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Monday when it takes on top-ranked and undefeated UConn (35-0) in the second round. The game, scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN, marks a significant milestone for the Orange, who advanced to the second round after defeating Iowa State in the first round. Syracuse, seeded ninth, will look to continue its strong NCAA Tournament run, having reached the second round in eight of its last nine appearances. The Orange’s victory over Iowa State was fueled by standout performances from freshman center Uche Izoje and sophomore guard Olivia Schmitt. Izoje contributed 23 points, while Schmitt scored a career-high 15 points, including a crucial sequence of five consecutive three-pointers in the second quarter that sealed the win. Syracuse enters the matchup with a 24-8 record for the season, despite being picked to finish 13th in the ACC preseason poll. UConn, however, presents a formidable challenge. The Huskies have a storied history against Syracuse, with the Orange holding an all-time record of 12-41 in the series. The last Syracuse win over UConn dates back to January 2, 1996, a game that holds personal significance for current Syracuse head coach Felisha Legette-Jack. Legette-Jack, who was an assistant on that team, now faces her former mentor, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, in a matchup that carries deep historical ties. Auriemma recruited Legette-Jack as an assistant at Virginia in the mid-1980s, but she chose to stay at Syracuse, where she became an All-American. Auriemma went on to build a dominant program at UConn, and the two coaches are set to meet again in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years.#syracuse_university #uconn #geno_auriemma #uche_izoje #olivia_schmitt
Syracuse women’s basketball: what to watch and predictions vs Iowa State The 9th-seeded Syracuse Orange will take on the 8th-seeded Iowa State Cyclones in a college basketball matchup tomorrow night in Storrs, Connecticut. The game is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2, with Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe serving as the broadcast team. Key factors to monitor during the contest include Iowa State’s ability to stretch the floor from beyond the arc. The Cyclones are shooting 36.5% from three-point range, with four players hitting over 35% of their attempts. This presents a challenge for Syracuse, as the Orange must avoid overcommitting to defend Audi Crooks, who is a primary threat. The strategy for Syracuse may involve limiting direct matchups between Crooks and Uche Izoje, allowing the Cyclones’ shooters to operate with fewer defenders. Whether the Orange can execute this plan effectively will be critical. Another focal point is Syracuse’s offensive output. The team relies heavily on its ability to force turnovers, block shots, and secure rebounds to create second-chance opportunities. However, Iowa State’s efficient three-point shooting and strong ball movement make them a difficult matchup. For Syracuse to succeed, they will need to generate extra possessions while also converting them into points. Uche Izoje’s performance against Crooks will be pivotal, but other players such as Phelia and Burrows will also need to contribute, especially with Dominique Darius sidelined. Predictions for the game vary between analysts. One projection suggests Iowa State will prevail 77-71, citing the Cyclones’ superior scoring efficiency and firepower.#audi_crooks #iowa_state_cyclones #syracuse_womens_basketball #storrs_connecticut #uche_izoje
Syracuse Women's Basketball Set for NCAA Tournament Opener Against Iowa State The ninth-seeded Syracuse Orange will face the eighth-seeded Iowa State Cyclones in their NCAA Tournament opener this weekend. The game, scheduled for Saturday, March 21, will take place in Storrs, Connecticut, with a tip-off time of 5:30 pm EST. The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN2, with live audio available through cuse.com. Syracuse enters the tournament with a 23-8 record, including a 12-6 performance in the ACC. Iowa State, meanwhile, carries a 22-9 overall record and a 10-8 mark in the Big 12. The two teams have a history of neutral-site meetings, with Syracuse holding a 2-0 all-time advantage. The Orange defeated Iowa State by 20 points in Storrs during the 2016-17 season and repeated the victory by 12 points in the 2023-24 season. The game’s key matchup will center around the post play between Syracuse’s Uche Izoje and Iowa State’s Audi Crooks. Izoje, a defensive anchor for the Orange, will aim to limit Crooks’ impact in the paint while using her mid-range shooting to disrupt the Cyclones’ offense. Crooks, a prolific scorer, will look to assert dominance against Syracuse’s freshman standout, Izoje, in a battle of top-tier centers. Syracule is currently listed as a 7.5-point underdog against Iowa State, with the game’s over-under total set at 149.5 points. A Syracuse victory would mark one of the most significant upsets in women’s college basketball history, while a loss would still grant both teams a spot in the tournament. The stakes are high for the Orange, who are seeking to make a deep run in the postseason after a strong regular season.#audi_crooks #iowa_state_cyclones #syracuse_womens_basketball #storrs_connecticut #uche_izoje
