UConn Men’s Basketball to Face Yale’s Neighbor Instead
In a notable shift in Connecticut college basketball, UConn men’s basketball will face the University of New Haven on Monday night. This matchup marks a significant event as the UConn Huskies take on their first Division I opponent since ending their rivalry with Yale in 2014.
The End of the Yale Rivalry
The rivalry between Yale and UConn spanned from 1987 to 2014, during which both teams met 14 times. The series halted after a stunning upset in December 2014, when Yale defeated UConn 45-44 with a last-second basket. Since then, UConn has not scheduled Yale, a decision that has disappointed the Bulldogs.
The New Challenge
For the Huskies, Monday’s game will serve as an opportunity to showcase their dominance against the newly promoted Division I team, the University of New Haven. The Chargers were elevated from Division II following several strong seasons and are now set to make their Division I debut against UConn, currently ranked No. 4 in the country.
University of New Haven Overview
The University of New Haven, located in West Haven, has long been a strong competitor in the lower division. The Chargers are now looking to establish their presence in Division I basketball with high-profile matchups against teams like UConn, Penn State, and Vanderbilt this season.
- New Haven’s ranking prior to UConn matchup: 360th out of 365 teams according to kenpom.com.
- UConn’s recent achievements: Six-time national champion, back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.
- New Haven’s challenge level: 0.04% chance of victory against UConn based on statistical analysis.
The Impact of Competitive Matchups
New Haven’s head coach, Ted Hotaling, expressed the significance of these games for both financial returns and program visibility, noting they will be featured on networks like ESPN. The financial implications are considerable, with UConn paying a total of $305,000 to lesser-ranked teams this season as part of an arrangement through the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Yale’s Current Standing
While Yale has been unable to secure a game against UConn, they remain competitive within their own league. The Bulldogs, fresh off consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, will face only one Power Five opponent this season, No. 15 Alabama, where they will earn $85,000 for playing away.
The prospects of a renewed Yale-UConn matchup seem grim. Yale’s head coach, James Jones, remarked that a significant dip in performance would be necessary before UConn would consider scheduling them again—a disappointing sentiment for fans of the historic rivalry.
The stage is now set for UConn and the University of New Haven to clash. As both teams prepare for this upcoming encounter, basketball enthusiasts across Connecticut are eager to witness how this new chapter unfolds in the state’s basketball narrative.
