The feeling of the college basketball season approaching is uncontainable, especially when you're talking about UConn women's basketball.
The Huskies enter 2026–27 in a new era, with another loaded roster and plenty of expectations, and two players I'm especially excited to watch this year are KK Arnold and Sarah Strong.
Although for completely different reasons, they are the perfect players to set the tone for this next chapter of UConn basketball.
KK Arnold's growth and leadership over the last few seasons have been one of my favorite things to watch, aside from her personality, of course. Last season gave us a much bigger look at what KK can do when she's handed the keys.
She became UConn's starting point guard, and the numbers have shown her improvement, but what makes KK so important to this team has always gone beyond a stat sheet.
It's her fire.
Whether she's picking someone up full court, celebrating teammates from the bench or getting the entire arena involved after a crazy play, there's a spark that follows her. Heading into her senior year, that energy feels even more valuable and necessary. She's no longer an underclassman finding her place on the roster; she's one of the main leaders.
And of course, we have Sarah Strong, top dog.
It almost feels wrong to talk about expectations for Strong's performance this year considering what she has already accomplished in two seasons.
She's entering her junior year as the National Player of the Year after a season that established her as, in my humble opinion, the best player in college basketball. But the last moments of UConn's season weren't another championship celebration.
It was an emotional Final Four loss to South Carolina.
As you can imagine, for a player as competitive as Strong, the outcome stuck with her. But that might be what makes her return even more exciting.
We already know what Sarah Strong looks like when she's dominating at a high level. Now we get to see what she looks like when there's something to chase again. With that chip on her shoulder.
That's why I'm so invested in the Strong and Arnold combination this season. The world needs to see this duo running the floor and calling the shots.
Their personalities might show up differently, but they complement each other and have invaluable chemistry on and off the court. And you know what they say about the power of friendship. Strong can quietly take over a game while KK can change the energy of one the second she hits the court. One brings the calm and the other brings the chaos, in the best way.
There will be various new storylines this season, from returning players stepping into leadership roles to a new group getting their first taste of what comes with wearing the UConn jersey.
The heart of this group starts with the players who already know what winning at UConn feels like and what it feels like to fall short, too.
KK Arnold and Sarah Strong have already given us plenty to talk about. It's time for everyone to keep up, because something tells me they're nowhere near finished.
Cover photo by Diana Alushaj