After winning the program’s 12th National Championship this past April, the UConn women’s basketball team is back, locked and loaded for the 2025-26 season. Associate sports editor Avery Becker and staff writer Jake McCreven, The Daily Campus women’s basketball beat writers, put their heads together on what the starting lineup will look like this season.
Here is what they projected:
G – KK Arnold, Jr. (Avery)
When the UConn women’s basketball program was plagued with injuries in the 2023-24 season, point guard KK Arnold started 33 out of 39 games as only a freshman. Then, in her sophomore campaign, Arnold took on a new role, bringing the fire to the court off the bench. The Wisconsin native averaged 5.5 points per game in her sophomore season and attained 9 points with a 100% field goal percentage in the National Championship game. Now, with the full court pressure Arnold brings, she will be an integral piece to the starting lineup as the Huskies begin their quest for No. 13.
G – Azzi Fudd, Gr. (Avery)
After receiving the Most Outstanding Player award when the program notched their 12th National Championship, shooting guard Azzi Fudd decided to return to Storrs for another season. In her 2024-25 campaign, the Virginia native averaged 13.6 points per game and led the squad with a three-point field goal percentage of 43.6%. Fudd flourished in the National Championship game, attaining her 1,000th career point by scoring 24 points in the contest. The 5-foot-11 guard’s shot looks effortless every time she steps out on the hardwood. Being the most seasoned veteran on this year’s roster, it’s a no-brainer head coach Geno Auriemma will give her the nod for this year’s starting lineup.
G – Ashlynn Shade, Jr. (Avery)
Like her teammate Arnold, junior Ashlynn Shade found herself in the starting lineup for the majority of her freshman season, due to the program’s injuries. Shade made 12 starts in her sophomore campaign but spent most of the season coming off the bench, where she eventually earned the 2025 Big East Sixth Woman of the Year. Last season, the 5-foot-10 guard averaged 7.7 points per game. Any time Shade steps out on the court, she can change the tempo of the game immediately, making her a fundamental piece of this year’s starting lineup.
F – Sarah Strong, So. (Jake)
Strong will need to buy a second trophy case to store all of the hardware that she has quickly accumulated in Storrs. The true sophomore returns as one of the best players in the nation, evidenced by an AP Preseason All-America selection, and what appears to be an expanded role as a team leader for the Huskies.
Strong proved to be an efficient, three-level scorer and multi-faceted defender as a freshman. Above all else, however, her consistency and maturity stood out on a team laden with superstars last year.
Strong will be surrounded by a supporting cast that will give her ample opportunity to score. An upgrade in points (16.4) and assists (3.6) seems likely.
An increased role as a vocal leader will serve as the last piece in what could end up being one of Geno Auriemma’s favorite puzzles ever – the Sarah Strong era.
Photo by Connor Sharp/The Daily Campus
F – Serah Williams, Sr. (Jake)
Williams ranked inside the top six of the Big 10 in the following statistics at Wisconsin last year; points (6th, 577), rebounds (4th, 295), blocks (3rd, 69), field goal percentage (6th, .493), field goals (4th, 224) and usage percentage (1st, .335).
How does that translate to starting at Connecticut? Well, she can score — Williams finished in double-figures in 28 of the Badgers’ 30 games — and she can rebound — she had 14 double-doubles as a junior last year.
Yet the most noticeable thing this preseason about Williams isn’t quantifiable. She’s aggressive. The true senior isn’t afraid to create on her own. She’ll get the ball on the elbow, pivot towards the basket and go to work — regardless of the matchup.
It’s an offensive factor the nearly invincible Huskies sorely missed last season; a big who can score in bunches.