May 27, 2021
Two revenge games slated for Basketball HOF women’s showcase
By Tee Baker
Doubleheader will feature Uconn, Louisville, Baylor and Michigan
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The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the field of teams for the eighth annual Basketball Hall of Fame (HOF) women’s showcase on December 19th at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
Perennial powerhouse and 11-time national champion Uconn will take on an elite Louisville program, a postponement of the programs’ scheduled 2020 HOF women’s showcase game. Due to coronavirus protocols, DePaul replaced Uconn in last year’s showcase and faced Louisville, who defeated the Blue Demons handily by a score of 116-75.
“We are extremely excited to play UConn in the 2021 women’s showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena. Our experience at Mohegan Sun last year was first class and it’s an honor to participate in this Hall of Fame event. After being unable to play UConn last season as we had hoped, we are thrilled we are able to continue our rivalry,” said Louisville head coach Jeff Walz.
For Louisville, the game will be their first attempt to avenge their 73-80 loss to the Huskies in the elite eight of the 2019 NCAA tournament. The loss followed a significant Louisville win in Jan. 2019, the program’s first win over Uconn since 1993. Uconn leads the series 17-2 overall.
The women’s showcase will also feature another high-profile rematch between Baylor and Michigan. Baylor edged out a 78-75 overtime win over the Wolverines in 2021 sweet sixteen. Michigan will look to avenge that loss against a Baylor program led by new head coach Nicki Collen. Collen left her head coaching position with the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream and was named head coach of Baylor upon the departure of hall of fame coach Kim Mulkey. Mulkey left the Baylor program after 21 years at the helm to accept the LSU women’s basketball head coaching position.
“We’re proud to be involved with the 2021 Basketball Hall of Fame women’s showcase and to play a quality opponent like Michigan. It will be a great opportunity for fans to see some of the nation’s top talent, and we are excited to be a part of it,” said Baylor’s first-year coach Nicki Collen.
Jen Rizzotti, President of the Connecticut Sun shared, “The Connecticut Sun are excited to welcome UConn and a great group of women’s teams to the extraordinary arena we call home. Mohegan Sun Arena will definitely be the place for women’s basketball fans to be on December 19.”
Ticket information, game times and TV broadcast details will be released at a later date.
Written by Tee Baker
Tee has been a contributor to The Next since March Madness 2021 and is currently a contributing editor, BIG EAST beat reporter and curator of historical deep dives.
