Michigan Ends UConn's 39-Game Winning Streak in Historic Upset

The 2026-27 women's college basketball season opened with a decisive shift in the power dynamics of the sport. At the Crisler Center, the Michigan Wolverines defeated the previously undefeated University of Connecticut, snapping a 39-game regular season winning streak for the Huskies. The final score was 77-66 in favor of Michigan, a result that immediately propelled the Wolverines from No. 5 to No. 2 in the AP poll.

Te'Yala Delfosse led the Michigan offense with 22 points, nine rebounds, and four three-pointers. She was supported by Olivia Olson, who finished with 10 points and eight rebounds, and Syla Swords, who added 10 points and five rebounds. Head coach Kim Barnes Arico and her junior class, who arrived together as freshmen, celebrated the victory as a defining moment for the program. Olson noted that the team's belief in the coaching staff helped build the squad to this level.

The week also featured a dramatic return for star player JuJu Watkins. After 588 days on the sidelines, Watkins played her first game for No. 3 USC in a 100-68 win over UNLV. She recorded 21 points, five rebounds, two steals, and a block in 25 minutes. In her next game, a 118-40 victory over Utah State, Watkins posted 32 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, five steals, and one block. She shot 52.6% from the field and 57.1% from beyond the arc. USC faces No. 1 South Carolina on November 15.

Unexpected errors provided a lighter note as two players from different teams shot the ball into the wrong basket on the same day. Karma Wynn of Northwestern State scored an own goal during a full-court press, giving two points to Arkansas in an 89-59 loss. Later that day, Emma Christiano of New Mexico State missed the target with 20.9 seconds remaining against Southern Utah. Her error extended the opponent's lead to 63-60, but New Mexico State teammates scored four points in the final seconds to secure a 64-63 win.

Duke Blue Devils experienced logistical disruptions after canceling a scheduled game against North Texas in San Antonio due to circumstances beyond the institutions' control. The event, called The Foundry Classic, was supposed to include residency spaces and panel discussions. Duke arranged a last-minute road game against Florida Atlantic on Sunday and won 78-56. The win improved Duke's record to 2-0, though the team fell from No. 4 to No. 5 in the rankings following Michigan's victory.

Maryland's Addi Mack delivered a memorable performance in the season opener in Paris against South Carolina. Down by 28 points at halftime and 31 points in the third quarter, Maryland mounted a comeback that closed the gap to six points with 46 seconds left. Although South Carolina won 101-93, Maryland's effort earned it a rise to No. 19 in the rankings. Mack scored 35 points, six assists, three rebounds, and two steals, with 31 of her points coming in the second half.

Ajša Sivka, a Slovenian player drafted by the Chicago Sky in 2025, made her mark for the Kentucky Wildcats. In a 93-78 victory over N.C. State, Sivka recorded 32 points, five rebounds, and three assists. She shot 11 of 17 from the field and 8 of 12 from three-point range. Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks praised her as one of the best players in the country. Sivka stated that she chose Kentucky for the development opportunities that would prepare her for the WNBA.