UConn and Louisville reflect on sacred opportunity of Armed Forces Classic

An hour before tip-off of the 2025 Armed Forces Classic at Alumni Hall, ESPN’s top women’s basketball crew — Andraya Carter, Elle Duncan, Chiney Ogwumike, Ryan Rucco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe — worked through a TikTok routine, laughter echoing through the gym. Carter applied the finishing touches on her makeup and Oguwmike interacted with fans.

Former Connecticut standout and WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers sat two rows behind her alma mater’s bench. Also in attendance were Minnesota Lynx associate head coach Eric Thibault, Washington Mystics general manager Jamila Wideman, and forward Shakira Austin, as a largely pro-UConn crowd filled Alumni Hall.

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Originally slated to tip off at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the event — marking the first women’s matchup in Peraton Armed Forces Classic history — found a new home at the Naval Academy less than two weeks ago when the government shutdown forced a last-minute change.

The main event didn’t disappoint. Top-ranked UConn began its title defense with a 79–66 win over 20th-ranked Louisville, a game in which the basketball itself was only part of the story, because the true meaning of the sacred trip rested in its setting at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Fans — some wearing Azzi Fudd No. 35 jerseys, blue UConn shirts, and even a few white No. 21 Sarah Strong uniforms — were treated to plenty of entertainment beyond the game itself. During a lighthearted contest between the third and fourth quarters, two contestants rolled themselves in brown paper, resembling pigs in a blanket as they raced from one end of the floor to the other. The arena buzzed with laughter as fans stood, cheered, and snapped photos on their phones. One Louisville supporter even waved a sign with both logos that read, “UK fans here to cheer Lady Cards.”

The Navy women’s basketball team, favorites to win the Patriot League, was introduced at center court to a thunderous ovation. The men’s team energized the 3,640 fans by tossing T-shirts into the stands. At one point in the second quarter, a row of 11 photographers and videographers — armed with TV cameras, long lenses, and iPhones — lined the baseline, capturing every moment as Sarah Strong scored 21 points and Azzi Fudd added 20 to lead the Huskies to their 30th consecutive season-opening triumph.

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma emphasized that the late change of plans was not a disappointment. Auriemma spent time at Navy while coaching the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, which held its training camp here.

“I never thought of this as being like a consolation prize,” Auriemma said to reporters postgame. “This place is pretty amazing … I knew what we were in for and I knew the players, once they got around the midshipmen and had a chance to interact with them and listen to their stories, I knew it would be special for them … I think all those things are worthwhile to have a basketball game. It’s just an added benefit. I don’t think the experience can be replicated by playing a regular college game.”

Louisville coach Jeff Walz began his postgame press conference by speaking for close to three minutes, reflecting on the privilege his program had to compete in this special contest. The Cardinals arrived Saturday night. They spent Sunday sightseeing in Washington, D.C., visiting the Holocaust Museum, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial.

Both teams experienced ship tours, simulator experiences and ate lunch with the more than 4,000 midshipmen Monday, a moment of sacred connection. Between stories and laughter, athletes and future officers found common ground in discipline, teamwork, and purpose. Walz sat with a cadet from Louisville, who attended games when she was home.

“I thought our kids competed and played hard,” Walz said to reporters postgame with reverence and awe in his voice. “I told my kids after the game that if you didn’t get something out of the speakers that we had, and the opportunity to visit with the Midshipmen, then you really lost out what this trip was all about. So, it was wonderful.”

First-year Navy athletics director Michael Kelly, who previously worked with ESPN Events and the College Football Playoff during his tenure at South Florida, jumped at the opportunity to host. When it became clear Germany was no longer an option, Kelly called the superintendent for approval and began coordinating logistics within days.

“We were honored to host,” Kelly said to The IX Basketball pregame. “We knew was an opportunity to showcase the Naval Academy. “We take great pride in having a chance to not only have visitors on this campus every day, but in this case, have two of the finest programs in women’s college basketball to kind of not only learn what our midshipmen go through, but to give them kind of a small taste of this experience.”

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Meanwhile, the Huskies sprinted to a 14-1 lead and a 25-9 bulge after 10 minutes behind crisp ball movement, tenacious defense, and spectacular individual finishes around the basket. USC transfer Kayleigh Heckel scored 14 points, and KK Arnold added 13 points for UConn, which scored 50 points in the paint.

Behind Laura Ziegler‘s 42nd career double-double (16 points and career-high 18 rebounds), the Cardinals closed strong by outscoring UConn by eight points in the final quarter. According to The IX Basketball’s Jacob Mox, Ziegler is the first player to finish with at least 15 points, 15 rebounds, and no fouls since 2009. The Cardinals, who pulled to within 73-63 with two minutes, 22 seconds remaining, also got 13 points each from Imari Berry and Skylar Jones.

While Louisville’s late push closed the gap, UConn’s early dominance held. Yet when the final buzzer sounded and teams embraced in emotional hugs and handshakes, the night’s significance stretched far beyond the scoreboard.

This moment was bigger than basketball because the Peraton Armed Forces Classic wasn’t just a game; it was a reminder that excellence wears many uniforms. Players saw firsthand the joy, discipline, sacrifice, and pride that come with serving something larger than yourself.

In return, the midshipmen witnessed the same traits reflected on the court: teamwork, trust, and resilience from two of the best women’s basketball programs in the country.

“This was such a special experience,” Fudd said to reporters postgame when asked by a Naval Academy athletics administrator. “I have a couple of friends on the (Navy) women’s team who talked about it, but being able to come here and see it firsthand … I think just the standard from your uniform to every single detail was so impressive. But then, to hear the stories, we heard some people talk about what you guys go through, get to see a little bit of it, and learn about it. It’s so impressive.”