The college basketball world is buzzing with anticipation as ESPN drops a prediction that could shake up everything we thought we knew about the upcoming season.

What if UConn could accomplish something only Dawn Staley’s powerhouse South Carolina team has managed since 2016?
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Can UConn Go Undefeated and Challenge Dawn Staley’s Historic Achievement?

As the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season approaches, ESPN’s Alexa Philippou has shared her bold predictions about the UConn Huskies.

According to her analysis, the Huskies, led by Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, could go undefeated — a feat last achieved by Dawn Staley’s 2023-24 South Carolina Gamecocks.

Philippou says in her prediction, “UConn goes undefeated for the seventh time in program history. UConn was already slotted as an early championship favorite. But to go undefeated? Only one team, South Carolina, has done that since 2016.

“The Huskies could face a learning curve since Bueckers has graduated, but with Strong, Fudd, and a stacked transfer class, the Huskies are capable of running the table,” she continued.

UConn’s last undefeated season came in 2016, during a dominant four-year title streak under Geno Auriemma. Despite losing Paige Bueckers to the WNBA Draft, the Huskies’ depth has been significantly strengthened by Fudd, Strong, and key transfers, positioning them as early favorites to repeat as champions.

Meanwhile, South Carolina’s perfect 2023-24 season, capped by a victory over Caitlin Clark’s Iowa in the championship game, set an incredibly high bar. However, UConn’s talent could potentially eclipse that achievement, directly challenging Staley’s legacy as the only coach with an unbeaten championship since 2016.

How Will South Carolina Respond to This Championship Challenge?

While the Huskies threaten Staley’s recent record, South Carolina faces its own tests ahead. The Gamecocks, coming off a 2025 runner-up finish, face an early challenge on December 20, 2025, at Florida Gulf Coast’s Alico Arena.

FGCU’s first-year coach Raina Harmon, who succeeded Chelsea Lyles and Karl Smesko, expressed her excitement, saying, “This program has a proud history of competing with the best, and we’re excited to keep building on that tradition.”

 

She continued, “Coach Staley and the Gamecocks have pushed the game forward for the past decade, and it’s an honor to bring them to Alico Arena.”

This matchup carries extra significance given South Carolina’s recent dominance. The Gamecocks, who have captured three titles (2017, 2022, 2024), showcased their power in Fort Myers last November, crushing No. 15 Iowa State 76-36 and demolishing Purdue 99-51.

FGCU brings its own credentials to this showdown. Fresh off a 30-4 season and their 11th NCAA Tournament appearance in 14 years, the Eagles aim to test Staley’s reloaded roster in what will be Harmon’s debut against a national powerhouse.

The broader implications of this season extend far beyond individual games. As Philippou predicts, UConn’s potential to go undefeated directly challenges the historic standard set by South Carolina’s 2023-24 perfect season under Staley’s leadership.

The December clash between South Carolina and FGCU represents more than just another non-conference game — it’s an opportunity for the Gamecocks to reassert their championship dominance while a new contender emerges.

With several months remaining until tip-off, the stage is perfectly set for a thrilling season. UConn’s reloaded roster and South Carolina’s championship pedigree will battle for supremacy, while programs like FGCU stand ready to present their strongest challenges.

The question remains: can anyone match what Staley accomplished, or will this season produce a new perfect champion?