Syracuse women's basketball saw its special 2025-26 campaign come to a halt on Monday evening in the NCAA Tournament's second round. And it was a bad performance by the Orange, as the No. 9 seed 'Cuse suffered its worst-ever Big Dance setback, a 98-45 shellacking by No. 1 seed UConn before more than 10,000 fans at the Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn.
The Orange (24-9 overall), playing in March Madness for the second time in three stanzas, couldn't get anything going against the Huskies (36-0 overall), a team that is the defending national champion and also the No. 1 overall seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Love what we are building here at Syracuse. You ALL are right! We have to get better! We got better from last year but 🍊Nation deserves more. I can assure you I am working on that RIGHT NOW! If you want to help me 🙋🏽♀️! Thank you for watching my athletes Rise! We Fight On! ✊🏽🍊
— Felisha Legette-Jack (@CuseCoachJack) March 24, 2026
Monday night's encounter in Regional 1 was over relatively quickly. Connecticut led 33-8 after one quarter and 65-12 at halftime. SU did play the Huskies even in the second half, at 33-33, resulting in the final score of 98-45. UConn moves on to the Sweet 16, and the Huskies hold a 42-12 edge in their all-time series with Syracuse women's basketball.
Nothing better than a coach who believes in you🧡@Lailaphelia on choosing to play for @CuseCoachJack this season. pic.twitter.com/WcXMtXRUkI
— Syracuse Women's Basketball (@CuseWBB) March 24, 2026
One key issue for the Orange was its woeful 3-point shooting. The 'Cuse went just 1-of-18 from long range, as compared to UConn's 50.0 percent (13-of-26) from deep. SU got out-rebounded, 46-28, and Connecticut turned Syracuse's 20 turnovers into 35 points.
Despite a rough loss, Syracuse women's basketball exceeded expectations this season.
Head coach Felisha Legette-Jack's squad was picked to finish at No. 13 in the Atlantic Cost Conference standings during the 2025-26 term, but the Orange ended up in a tie for No. 5 in the conference race. Legette-Jack placed third in the ACC's coach of the year voting, which was revealed earlier this month.
Junior guard Sophie Burrows was named the ACC's Kay Yow scholar-athlete of the year. Senior guard Laila Phelia resided on the All-ACC second team. Freshman center Uche Izoje had a sensational 2025-26 season, getting named the ACC rookie of the year while also being selected to the All-ACC first team, the All-Defensive squad and the All-Freshman team.
As the Orange turns to its offseason, we'll have to see how the team's 2026-27 roster shapes up. Undeniably, retaining Izoje should be the top priority of the 'Cuse coaching staff.