UConn women's basketball team vs. Syracuse: 3 key things to watch in the preseason game

UConn women's basketball team will face Syracuse in an exhibition game on Monday, marking the first of three preseason exhibitions before their regular season opener against Cornell on November 2. The last time these two programs met was in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, with UConn winning a decisive 98-45 victory. This preseason matchup serves as an unofficial debut for UConn newcomers Olivia Vukosa, Jovana Popovic, and Marine Dursus, who will face off against Syracuse's star sophomore center, Uche Izoje.

Vukosa, a 6-5 freshman, will need to battle Izoje in the paint. Offensively, the Huskies will rely on Sarah Strong, who is expected to be even better this year after recovering from an Achilles injury. She is set to become UConn's primary go-to option and a more vocal leader.