tucsonpost
When the fourth-ranked UConn Huskies tip off their season on Monday against Gardner-Webb at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn., they will do so with a familiar goal but a noticeably different cast. After reaching three of the last four national championship games, UConn must replace the veteran leadership of Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr., both of whom were selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Stepping into those leadership roles are senior point guard Silas Demary Jr., the preseason Big East Player of the Year, and sophomore Braylon Mullins. The duo will anchor the backcourt for head coach Dan Hurley, though the team will be without veteran guard Solo Ball indefinitely after he underwent offseason wrist surgery. Ball was the Huskies' third-leading scorer last season, behind Reed and Karaban.
To replenish the roster, Hurley brought in transfers Nik Khamenia (Duke), Na'jai Hines (Seton Hall) and Nils Machowski (Wofford). The Huskies also welcome highly regarded freshmen Colben Landrew, the preseason Big East Freshman of the Year, and Junior County. Khamenia made an immediate impact in UConn's three exhibition wins over Syracuse, Michigan State and Purdue, totaling 39 points and 25 rebounds. Mullins, who had been sidelined with an undisclosed injury, returned against Purdue on Tuesday, contributing seven points and four assists in 24 minutes.
Despite the new faces, UConn remains the preseason favorite in the Big East and boasts both the league's top player and top rookie—the first sweep of those honors since 2017. "I think we have a lot of talent, a lot of respect, but I think it just goes back to the culture we have, Coach Hurley, how we kind of operate things over here and we're able to transition year in and year out," senior forward Jayden Ross said.
The Huskies face a challenging nonconference schedule. After Monday's opener, they meet No. 16 Michigan at TD Garden in Boston on Nov. 6, followed by games against Duke, Arizona and Illinois. Michigan defeated UConn 69-63 in the NCAA championship game last season.
Gardner-Webb, meanwhile, is coming off a 4-29 season and a 1-15 mark in Big South play. The Runnin' Bulldogs open with a daunting road test at UConn before traveling to Austin, Texas, to face the Longhorns. Those are two of six power-conference games on their schedule. The team returns only co-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder Jacob Hudson (10.7 points, 4.0 rebounds per game) among its top six from last season. Transfers Seth Brown (Fresno Pacific), DJ Daniel (Frostburg State) and Mikhail Pocknett (Buffalo)—all all-conference performers at lower levels—are among 11 new players.
"I think with just the turnover we had and the makeup of our team, we're talking about building chemistry early and just being tough and together through the journey, the ups and downs that every season brings," third-year coach Jeremy Luther said. Luther views the challenging schedule as a chance for growth. "I think it's a good test for us to see how we compete early and then see the growth we've made with three (more Power Four games right before) league play," he said.
Key Analysis
UConn's ability to integrate new pieces while maintaining its championship standard will be tested early. The Huskies' demanding nonconference slate, including a rematch with Michigan, offers immediate opportunities to gauge their readiness. For Gardner-Webb, the opener serves as a measuring stick against elite competition, with the hope that early challenges forge resilience for conference play.
Originally reported by tucsonpost.