UConn & OU to headline Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma applauds his team's play against UCF in the American Athletic Conference championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on March 11, 2019. (Brad Horrigan/Hartford Courant/TNS via Getty Images)
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma applauds his team's play against UCF in the American Athletic Conference championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on March 11, 2019. (Brad Horrigan/Hartford Courant/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Florida State and Michigan will also take part in the sixth annual event in December.

The home of the Connecticut Sun will once again play host to potential future WNBA players during the next college basketball season. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced earlier this week that they will hold their annual Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Sunday, December 22.

National semifinalist UConn will take on Oklahoma in the event, while NCAA tournament participants Florida State and Michigan will also square off.

“The Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to celebrate the women’s game with our sixth annual Women’s Showcase at a beautiful venue in Mohegan Sun,” John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, said in a statement. “UConn fans have been treated to some exceptional performances in this event over the years, and we know our three additional participating schools will enjoy the first-class environment as well.”

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The Huskies have taken part in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase since its origin; UConn beat Vanderbilt 80-42 in last year’s event and defeated Oklahoma 88-64 in 2017 for head coach Geno Auriemma’s 1000th win.

“Our fans always have a great turnout at Mohegan Sun Arena, and I don’t expect any different for this year’s Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase,” Auriemma said in a press release. “This is our sixth straight time competing in this game, and I think it will be a great atmosphere and great event against Oklahoma.”

This will be the third year in a row that the Sooners and Huskies will square off against each other. Oklahoma finished last season with an 8-22 record and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time in nearly two decades. Still, Sooners head coach Sherri Coale says the matchup will only be a good thing for her young squad.

“We have immense respect for UConn and look forward to the opportunity to compete against their program for the third straight season,” Coale said. “The Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase presents an outstanding opportunity for our team, but as well for women’s basketball fans to see top-tier programs compete against one another in a fantastic environment.”

Florida State and Michigan will play in the other game in the Showcase. Both squads reached the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2019; the Seminoles lost to South Carolina while the Wolverines fell to Louisville.

Tickets for the sixth annual Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase will go on sale Friday, September 6, on Ticketmaster and at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office. Game times and broadcast information will be announced at a later date according to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

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