1995–96 Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team
{{short description|Intercollegiate basketball season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
|sport=Women's Basketball
|year=1995–96
|team=Connecticut Huskies
|image=Connecticut Huskies wordmark.svg
|image_size=250
|record=34–4
|conf_record=17–1
|conference=Big East Conference
|short_conf=Big East
|CoachRank= 3
|APRank= 3
|head_coach=Geno Auriemma
|hc_year = 11th
|assoc_coach=Chris Dailey
|asst_coach2=Tonya Cardoza
|asst_coach3=Charlene Curtis
|stadium=Harry A. Gampel Pavilion
|champion= Big East tournament champions
Big East regular season champions
|tourney=NCAA tournament
|tourney_result=Final Four
}}
{{1995–96 Big East Conference women's basketball standings}}
The 1995–96 Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team represented the University of Connecticut (UConn) during the 1995–96 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Huskies, led by Hall of Fame head coach Geno Auriemma in his 11th season at UConn, played their home games at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion and were members of the Big East Conference.
UConn finished their regular season with a record of 27–3, including 17–1 in the Big East to win the conference regular season championship. They also won the Big East tournament. Then, in the NCAA Tournament, they defeated Howard, Michigan State, San Francisco, and Vanderbilt to make a return trip to the Final Four. In the National semifinals, UConn was beaten by Tennessee as the Lady Vols avenged their loss in the National championship from the prior season.
Roster
{{CBB roster/Header|sex=w|year=1995|team=UConn Huskies|teamcolors=y|high_school=}}
{{CBB roster/Player|sex=w|first=Kim |last=Better |num=5 |pos=G |ft=5 |in=7 |lbs= |class=Sr |cur_rs= |rs= |high_school= |home=Suitland, Maryland |link= }}
{{CBB roster/Player|sex=w|first=Missy |last=Rose |num=10 |pos=G |ft=5 |in=10 |lbs= |class=Jr |cur_rs= |rs= |high_school= |home=Scranton, Pennsylvania |link= }}
{{CBB roster/Player|sex=w|first=Jennifer |last=Rizzotti |num=21 |pos=G |ft=5 |in=5 |lbs= |class=Sr |cur_rs= |rs= |high_school= |home=New Fairfield, Connecticut |link=y }}
{{CBB roster/Player|sex=w|first=Rita |last=Williams |num=23 |pos=G |ft=5 |in=6 |lbs= |class=So |cur_rs= |rs= |high_school= |home=Norwalk, Connecticut |link=y }}
{{CBB roster/Player|sex=w|first=Brenda |last=Marquis |num=25 |pos=F |ft=6 |in=3 |lbs= |class=So |cur_rs= |rs= |high_school= |home=Moosup, Connecticut |link= }}
{{CBB roster/Player|sex=w|first=Carla |last=Berube |num=31 |pos=F |ft=6 |in=0 |lbs= |class=Jr |cur_rs= |rs= |high_school= |home=Oxford, Massachusetts |link=y }}
{{CBB roster/Player|sex=w|first=Jamelle |last=Elliott |num=33 |pos=F |ft=6 |in=0 |lbs= |class=Sr |cur_rs= |rs= |high_school= |home=Washington, D.C. |link=y }}
{{CBB roster/Player|sex=w|first=Kelley |last=Hunt |num=34 |pos=F |ft=6 |in=2 |lbs= |class=So |cur_rs= |rs= |high_school= |home=Londonderry, New Hampshire |link= }}
{{CBB roster/Player|sex=w|first=Nykesha |last=Sales |num=42 |pos=F |ft=6 |in=0 |lbs= |class=So |cur_rs= |rs= |high_school= |home=Bloomfield, Connecticut |link=y }}
{{CBB roster/Player|sex=w|first=Sarah |last=Northway |num=44 |pos=F |ft=6 |in=1 |lbs= |class=Sr |cur_rs=yes |rs= |high_school= |home=Brainerd, Minnesota |link= }}
{{CBB roster/Player|sex=w|first=Kara |last=Wolters |num=52 |pos=C |ft=6 |in=7 |lbs= |class=Jr |cur_rs= |rs= |high_school= |home=Holliston, Massachusetts |link=y }}
{{CBB roster/Footer
|head_coach=
|asst_coach=
|roster_url=
|accessdate=
}}
Schedule
{{CBB schedule start |attend=no| gamehighs = no}}
|-
!colspan=12 style="{{NCAA color cell|Connecticut Huskies}}"| Regular season{{cite web|url=https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule/1995-96 |title=1995 Women's Basketball Schedule |publisher=University of Connecticut Athletics |access-date=June 19, 2024}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = Nov 19, 1995
| time =
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral = yes
| rank = 1
| opponent = {{cbb link|year=1995|sex=none|team=Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters|title=Louisiana Tech}}
| opprank = 4
| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena
| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN
| gamename =Hall of Fame Tipoff Classic
| tv =
| score = 81–83
| overtime = OT
| attend =
| record = 0–1
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = Nov 24, 1995
| time =
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral = yes
| rank = 3
| opponent = {{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=Northern Arizona Lumberjacks|title=Northern Arizona}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Special Events Arena
| site_cityst = Honolulu, HI
| gamename =Wahine Classic
| tv =
| score = 87–63
| overtime =
| attend =
| record = 1–1
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = Nov 25, 1995
| time =
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral = yes
| rank = 3
| opponent = {{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=Oregon State Beavers|title=Oregon State}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Special Events Arena
| site_cityst = Honolulu, HI
| gamename =Wahine Classic
| tv =
| score = 88–70
| overtime =
| attend =
| record = 2–1
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = Nov 26, 1995
| time =
| nonconf = yes
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank = 3
| opponent = {{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=Hawaii Rainbow Warriors|title=Hawaii}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Special Events Arena
| site_cityst = Honolulu, HI
| gamename =Wahine Classic
| tv =
| score = 65–48
| overtime =
| attend =
| record = 3–1
}}
{{CBB schedule entry|score=77-62|date=Dec 2, 1995|rank=2|neutral=Yes|opponent={{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=North Carolina Tar Heels|title=North Carolina}}|gamename=Central Fidelity Invitational Tournament|record=4-1|site_stadium=Richmond Coliseum|site_cityst=Richmond, VA}}
{{CBB schedule entry|score=81-67|date=Dec 3, 1995|rank=2|neutral=Yes|opprank=23|opponent={{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=Alabama Crimson Tide|title=Alabama}}|gamename=Central Fidelity Invitational Tournament|record=5-1|site_stadium=Richmond Coliseum|site_cityst=Richmond, VA}}
{{CBB schedule entry|score=79-47|date=Dec 7, 1995|rank=3|opponent={{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=West Virginia Mountaineers|title=West Virginia}}|record=6-1|site_stadium=Harry A. Gampel Pavilion|site_cityst=Storrs, CT}}
{{CBB schedule entry|score=74-22|date=Dec 9, 1995|nonconf=Yes|rank=3|opponent={{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=Loyola Greyhounds|title=Loyola (MD)}}|gamename=Connecticut Classic|record=7-1|site_stadium=Harry A. Gampel Pavilion|site_cityst=Storrs, CT}}
{{CBB schedule entry|score=88-60|date=Dec 10, 1995|nonconf=Yes|rank=3|opponent={{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=Duquesne Dukes|title=Duquesne}}|gamename=Connecticut Classic|record=8-1|site_stadium=Harry A. Gampel Pavilion|site_cityst=Storrs, CT}}
{{CBB schedule entry|score=84-65|date=Dec 22, 1995|nonconf=Yes|rank=2|opponent={{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=Rhode Island Rams|title=Rhode Island}}|record=9-1|site_stadium=Harry A. Gampel Pavilion|site_cityst=Storrs, CT}}
{{CBB schedule entry|score=96-34|date=Dec 29, 1995|nonconf=Yes|rank=2|opponent={{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=Northeastern Huskies|title=Northeastern}}|record=10-1|site_stadium=Harry A. Gampel Pavilion|site_cityst=Storrs, CT}}
{{CBB schedule entry|opponent={{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=Syracuse Orange|title=Syracuse}}|score=59-62|date=Jan 2, 1996|rank=2|away=Yes|record=10-2|site_stadium=Carrier Dome|site_cityst=Syracuse, NY}}
{{CBB schedule entry|score=96-64|date=Jan 4, 1996|rank=2|opponent={{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=Georgetown Hoyas|title=Georgetown}}|record=11-2|site_stadium=Harry A. Gampel Pavilion|site_cityst=Storrs, CT}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = Jan 6, 1996
| time =
| nonconf = yes
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank = 2
| opponent = Tennessee
| opprank = 4
| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena
| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN
| gamename =Rivalry
| tv =
| score = 59–53
| overtime =
| attend =
| record = 12–2
}}
|-
!colspan=12 style="{{NCAA color cell|Connecticut Huskies}}"|Big East tournament
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 3, 1996
| time =
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral =
| rank = 2
| seed = 1
| opponent = Rutgers
| opprank =
| oppseed = 8
| site_stadium = Gampel Pavilion
| site_cityst = Storrs, CT
| gamename = Quarterfinals
| tv =
| score = 93–64
| overtime =
| attend =
| record = 28–3
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 4, 1996
| time =
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral =
| rank = 2
| seed = 1
| opponent = Pittsburgh
| opprank =
| oppseed = 13
| site_stadium = Gampel Pavilion
| site_cityst = Storrs, CT
| gamename = Semifinals
| tv =
| score = 83–51
| overtime =
| attend =
| record = 29–3
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 5, 1996
| time =
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral =
| rank = 2
| seed = 1
| opponent = Notre Dame
| opprank = 22
| oppseed = 2
| site_stadium = Gampel Pavilion
| site_cityst = Storrs, CT
| gamename = Championship game
| tv =
| score = 75–54
| overtime =
| attend =
| record = 30–3
}}
|-
!colspan=12 style="{{NCAA color cell|Connecticut Huskies}}"|NCAA tournament
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 16, 1996
| time =
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral =
| rank = 2
| seed = 1 ME
| opponent = {{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=Howard Bison|title=Howard}}
| opprank =
| oppseed = 16 ME
| site_stadium = Gampel Pavilion
| site_cityst = Storrs, CT
| gamename = First round
| tv =
| score = 94–63
| overtime =
| attend =
| record = 31–3
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 18, 1996
| time =
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral =
| rank = 2
| seed = 1 ME
| opponent = {{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=Michigan State Spartans|title=Michigan State}}
| opprank =
| oppseed = 9 ME
| site_stadium = Gampel Pavilion
| site_cityst = Storrs, CT
| gamename = Second round
| tv =
| score = 88–68
| overtime =
| attend =
| record = 32–3
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 25, 1996
| time =
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral = yes
| rank = 2
| seed = 1 ME
| opponent = {{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=San Francisco Dons|title=San Francisco}}
| opprank =
| oppseed = 12 ME
| site_stadium = Rosemont Horizon
| site_cityst = Rosemont, IL
| gamename = Regional Semifinal {{ndash}} Sweet Sixteen
| tv =
| score = 72–44
| overtime =
| attend =
| record = 33–3
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 25, 1996
| time =
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral = yes
| rank = 2
| seed = 1 ME
| opponent = {{cbb link|year=1995|sex=women|team=Vanderbilt Commodores|title=Vanderbilt}}
| opprank = 12
| oppseed = 3 ME
| site_stadium = Rosemont Horizon
| site_cityst = Rosemont, IL
| gamename = Regional Final {{ndash}} Elite Eight
| tv =
| score = 67–57{{cite news |title=Resolute UConn Rallies into Women's Final Four |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/03/26/resolute-uconn-rallies-into-womens-final-four/ |newspaper=The Chicago Tribune |date=March 26, 1996 |access-date=June 19, 2024}}
| overtime =
| attend =
| record = 34–3
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 29, 1996
| time =
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral = yes
| rank = 2
| seed = 1 ME
| opponent = Tennessee
| opprank = 4
| oppseed = 1 E
| site_stadium = Charlotte Coliseum
| site_cityst = Charlotte, NC
| gamename = National Semifinal {{ndash}} Final Four/Rivalry
| tv =
| score = 83–88
| overtime = OT{{cite news |title=UConn's Title Dreams Ended By Semifinal Loss to Tennessee |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/30/sports/final-four-women-uconn-s-title-dreams-ended-by-semifinal-loss-to-tennessee.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 30, 1996 |access-date=June 19, 2024}}
| attend =
| record = 34–4
}}
{{CBB schedule end|rank=|poll=|timezone=EST}}
Rankings
{{main|1995–96 NCAA Division I women's basketball rankings}}
{{Ranking Movements
| poll1title = AP
| poll1firstweek = 0
| poll1lastweek = 17
| poll1_0=1
| poll1_1=3
| poll1_2=2
| poll1_3=3
| poll1_4=3
| poll1_5=2
| poll1_6=2
| poll1_7=2
| poll1_8=3
| poll1_9=3
| poll1_10=3
| poll1_11=4
| poll1_12=3
| poll1_13=3
| poll1_14=3
| poll1_15=3
| poll1_16=2
| poll1_17=2
| poll1_18=
| poll1_19=
| poll1_20=
| poll2title = Coaches
| poll2firstweek = 0
| poll2lastweek = 18
| poll2_0=1
| poll2_1=3
| poll2_2=3
| poll2_3=3
| poll2_4=3
| poll2_5=2
| poll2_6=2
| poll2_7=2
| poll2_8=3
| poll2_9=3
| poll2_10=6
| poll2_11=5
| poll2_12=4
| poll2_13=4
| poll2_14=4
| poll2_15=4
| poll2_16=3
| poll2_17=3
| poll2_18=3
| poll2_19=
| poll2_20=
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{UConn Huskies women's basketball navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1995-96 Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team}}
Category:UConn Huskies women's basketball seasons
Category:NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament Final Four seasons