UConn Basketball: Top 4 non-conference opponents for 2023-24 season

3. Dec. 5 VS North Carolina, (Jimmy V Classic, Madison Square Garden)

Madison Square Garden is a place the UConn Huskies find themselves yet again in the beginning of December, and they have a key matchup against a big-time blue blood in UNC.

The Tarheels had one of the more disappointing seasons of recent memory after not making the tournament with a 20-13 record after starting the season ranked all the way at the top. But UNC will be looking to have a bounce-back year, and UConn is a chance to prove to the country they still belong.

While Indiana may be a tougher game on paper, taking care of a big-name program that will look good on a resume no matter how poor the season goes for UNC is crucial. And a loss here is something UConn cannot afford, they will be four games off the Kansas game, and depending on how that goes they may be coming into MSG with a loss.

The Garden is basically home court for the Huskies though, especially during Big East Tournament time, the UConn faithful show out for their program, especially at the world’s greatest arena.

But that will only do so much for UConn, as they need to find a way to slow down Armando Bacot, and that will be a tough task for a young Donovan Clingan. That matchup down low may decide this game, but as long as UConn finds a way to slow down Bacot they should be able to come out with a win here.