UConn faces Gardner-Webb 19 years after a chaotic five-day repeat

UConn men's basketball players will face Gardner-Webb on Monday night, ending a 19-year gap between the two programs. The fourth-ranked Huskies begin their 2026-27 season against the Runnin' Bulldogs at 9 p.m. at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford. This contest serves as the nightcap of a doubleheader, where the UConn women play Cornell at 5 p.m. in the first game.

The last time these teams met was in November 2007. That season, the Huskies played Gardner-Webb twice within five days. The first meeting took place at Madison Square Garden, where UConn won 78-66. Five days later, the teams faced off again in Hartford, with UConn securing an 89-72 victory. No other two programs in the history of the sport have met in such a short span.

Coach Dan Hurley said his staff prepares for every opponent with the same intensity. He noted that his team is not yet at a professional level in terms of approach and skill, but they treat each preparation identically. "We spend as many days preparing for Gardner-Webb in the things that they do .. we're going to prepare the same for everybody," Hurley said. This is his ninth season as head coach.

Scouting the Runnin' Bulldogs presented challenges because Gardner-Webb did not play public exhibition games this fall. The staff relied on film from last season, when the team finished with a 4-29 record, and looked at games involving returning players from schools like Frostburg State. Senior Silas Demary Jr. said the coaching staff found ways to gather the necessary footage.

The Huskies enter the season with a 3-0 record in exhibition games against Syracuse, Michigan State, and Purdue. Hurley acknowledged that not everything went well in those contests, but he believes the experience will help the team avoid opening night nerves. "It feels like the season started in June, and it feels like we've been playing games for a while," Hurley said.

Demary Jr. emphasized that the team must not overlook the opponent despite an upcoming high-profile game. UConn is scheduled to play Michigan in a national championship rematch on Friday at TD Garden in Boston. "That's been our biggest thing, don't overlook the opponent," Demary Jr. said. He stated the team must prepare with respect and play to the UConn standard on defense.

The doubleheader format creates logistical hurdles for both teams. Hurley said there will be some inconvenience in moving equipment and personnel between the two games. He viewed the setup as beneficial for the local economy in Hartford. "It's good for the city, good for the businesses, the restaurants, the bars," Hurley said.

Senior Jayden Ross expressed excitement about the unique situation. He said he is curious to see how the transition from the women's game to the men's game will affect warm-up routines. "I think it'll be really cool for the state to have something like this and it'll be real exciting," Ross said.