South Carolina-UConn Rematch Set for Mohegan Sun, and This Time Dawn Staley Holds the Receipts

UConn released its full non-conference schedule Monday, and for South Carolina fans, one date jumps off the page before any other: Nov. 24, when the Huskies and Gamecocks meet at Mohegan Sun Arena for the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase. It will be the first time these programs have shared a court since South Carolina walked out of Phoenix with a Final Four win — and Geno Auriemma walked off without shaking a single Gamecock’s hand.

That game didn’t just end a season. It ended a streak, sparked a public apology, and left a rivalry with an asterisk that neither coach has fully put to rest.

What Actually Happened in Phoenix

South Carolina ended UConn’s 54-game winning streak and undefeated season with a 62-48 win in the national semifinal. BroBible The final minutes turned into the story. Auriemma approached Staley for what appeared to be a postgame handshake, started yelling at her, and had to be held back by his own assistants before marching off the court without ever going through the handshake line. ESPN

He didn’t stay quiet about why, either. Auriemma said afterward he was upset that Staley hadn’t shaken his hand before the game, even though video showed the two coaches shaking hands pregame. He also used an in-game interview to criticize the officiating and Staley’s sideline demeanor. Two days later, Auriemma released a statement saying he had spoken with Staley and apologized to her, her staff and her team, admitting he “lost” himself. CBS Sports

South Carolina didn’t get to enjoy the moment for long. UCLA beat the Gamecocks in the national championship game two days later, denying Staley a fourth title.

The Feud Hasn’t Fully Cooled

This is where the Nov. 24 rematch gets interesting for South Carolina fans specifically. Auriemma appeared on a podcast this July and, while discussing an upcoming WNBA broadcasting gig, brought the Final Four loss back up and shifted blame toward officiating. CBS Sports Asked directly whether he and Staley were on good terms, he said “why wouldn’t we be?” — a response that read as less than convincing given the timing. CBS Sports

Staley, for her part, has tried to steer the conversation elsewhere. She’s said publicly that she wants everyone to “turn the page” and refocus on what actually matters, adding that it’s always been her mission and it’s not changing. Fox News That’s the diplomatic answer. Whether it holds when both teams are standing on the same hardwood at Mohegan Sun in three months is a separate question.

A Different Gamecocks Backcourt Walks Into Uncasville

South Carolina won’t look like the team that beat UConn in April. Raven Johnson, the starting point guard for three straight seasons, is gone to the WNBA, and the job has landed on Tessa Johnson, who spent last season splitting emergency point guard duty and is now the presumptive full-time answer at the position. That’s a real shift at the sport’s most demanding role, and it means whoever UConn sends out defensively on Nov. 24 will be facing a backcourt with a different shape than the one that dictated tempo in Phoenix.

UConn’s Full Non-Conference Slate

FAQ

When do South Carolina and UConn play in 2026?
Nov. 24, at the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase in Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut.

Is this a regular part of the South Carolina-UConn series?
Not this cycle — it’s the first year since 2013-14 the two haven’t met during the regular season on a standard home-and-home. They’re also set to meet in Charlotte for the Ally Tip-Off in November 2027.

What happened between Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley?
After South Carolina’s 62-48 upset of UConn in the 2026 Final Four, Auriemma confronted Staley near the end of the game, had to be separated from her by his staff, and left without shaking hands with South Carolina’s players. He apologized publicly days later.

Who will start at point guard for South Carolina by November?
Tessa Johnson is the presumptive starter after taking over point guard duties last season and with Raven Johnson now in the WNBA.

South Carolina gets to walk back into the building where it can measure how much has actually changed since Phoenix — different point guard, different roster, same coach across the sideline who still hasn’t quite let go of April.