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

By John Makuch

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 03: The Connecticut Huskies celebrates winning the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four championship game against the San Diego State Aztecs at NRG Stadium on April 03, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 03: The Connecticut Huskies celebrates winning the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four championship game against the San Diego State Aztecs at NRG Stadium on April 03, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs battles for a rebound during the second half against Donovan Clingan #32 of the Connecticut Huskies (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs battles for a rebound during the second half against Donovan Clingan #32 of the Connecticut Huskies (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

1. Dec. 15 AT Gonzaga

This one will be a huge deciding factor as to what amount of pressure UConn will be under in terms of Big East play. If they had already lost to Kansas and potentially had a few rough nonconference losses around the way, this could be a must-win game for the Huskies if things go south.

UConn destroyed Gonzaga in the Elite Eight 82-54, and these programs have had and will have their fair share of matchups. This is the beginning of a home and home that comes back to Madison Square Garden next season. But this year, going all the way out west will be tough just considering the travel, let alone the high level of basketball.

Gonzaga will definitely have that revenge factor when it comes to their motivation for this game against the Huskies, and even though UConn may have a talent advantage, revenge can fuel a team like no other.

But a win here against a ranked Gonzaga unit would be massive for the resume, and ideally, they will want to at the very least take one of the two top-tier games they have, Kansas and Gonzaga.

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The Huskies have their hands full when it comes to this nonconference slate, but if they truly are the defending National Champions, then they will indeed defend that crown well against these teams.