When the 20167-17 schedule was released, there's no way I thought I would be writing about UConn's road winning streak at this time of the year.

It all nearly came crashing to a halt in the season opener against a very good Florida State team. There were also road games against Maryland and Notre Dame. Yet all that stands between UConn and another perfect run through the road portion of their schedule are games tonight at Cincinnati and contests against Tulane and South Florida.

Even UConn coach Geno Auriemma admitted that the way his young team has handled business on the road has surprised him.

One thing that has not caught me off guard is the fact that of the 11 teams to host the Huskies, the top crowd of the season came when UConn was in town. If recent history counts for anything, the number should jump to 8 out of 12. Last year's UConn game drew 2,246 and that was the largest home crowd of the season for Cincinnati. The story was the same the previous two seasons when the crowds of 1,491 and 1,579 were the best marks of the season at Fifth Third Arena.

Also, a reader pointed out to me that the men's Division I record for consecutive road wins is 35 set by Kansas from 1924-28. As I am sure you realize, UConn is going after its 36th straight road victory. Some people get worked up when a men's record is mentioned in the same sentence with what UConn is doing but figured I would pass it on even though a win tonight would in no way diminish the incredible accomplishments of Phog Allen's Kansas men's teams.

It should be noted that there are no road winning streaks mentioned in the NCAA Division II and III men's record books but UConn's road streak is tops among the women's Division I, II and III marks.

Taking it one step further, the average crowd for UConn's 11 road games is more than double what those team's average crowd would be if you subtract the UConn game.

Florida State   4753 3534 2nd largest crowd
LSU                3806 2233 2nd largest crowd
Notre Dame    9149 8251 tied for highest crowd
Kansas State  12528 4578 largest crowd
Nebraska         7553 4498 largest crowd
Maryland       17950 4756 largest crowd
UCF                4539 2309 largest crowd
SMU               3878 2087 3rd largest crowd
Tulsa               1391 323 largest crowd
East Carolina  2880 1332 2nd largest crowd
Temple            4371 1064 largest crowd
AVERAGE     6618  3179

PLAY4KAY GAME SET FOR SATURDAY
UConn announced that Saturday's home game against SMU is the "Play4Kay" game with fans being asked to wear pink to raise awareness for cancer research.

Here's a link to the release from UConn.

The Huskies will also put several items up for auction, which can be accessed by visiting https://uconnhuskies.cbsi-auctions.com/.  Items will include autographed posters, game-worn uniforms from the SMU contest, the tie head coach Geno Auriemma will wear on Feb. 11 and a pair of game experience packages.

Additionally, fans are encouraged to look for the Genius 3D Mammography exam brand ambassadors at the north, south and east entrances of Gampel where Husky faithful can simply sign a postcard. For every postcard that is filled out and collected, our game day sponsor, Hologic, will make a donation to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

Also, keeping on the fan's wardrobe subject, the school is also encouraging fans to wear white for Monday's game against South Carolina.