Braylon Mullins Returns to Indiana as UConn Looks for a Bounce-Back Win at Butler
INDIANAPOLIS - Braylon Mullins has been under the bright lights before - but Wednesday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse hits different. The UConn freshman guard, who once lit up Indiana high school gyms just a half hour east in Greenfield, is back on home soil. Only this time, he’s not just a local legend - he’s a rising star for the defending national champs, and he’s playing in one of the most iconic venues in college basketball.
Mullins has been here before in summer leagues, but this one’s for real. And for the 6-foot-6 sharpshooter who earned Indiana Mr. Basketball honors last year, it’s a full-circle moment - the kind of game that means a little more, even if he’s not letting it show.
“It’s always good to see family,” Mullins said after Monday’s practice. “But at this point in the season, we’re focused on winning. That’s the only thing on my mind.”
That mindset is exactly what head coach Dan Hurley wants to hear. With UConn coming off a rare stumble - their first loss in over 11 weeks, an 85-77 defeat to St.
John’s at Madison Square Garden - Hurley’s looking for a response. And he’s not worried about Mullins getting caught up in the homecoming hype.
“He’s not the kind of kid who’s chasing attention,” Hurley said. “He’s not all over social media. His focus is where it needs to be.”
A Crucial Bounce-Back Spot
Wednesday night’s matchup at Butler isn’t just a homecoming for Mullins - it’s a test for a UConn team that’s trying to shake off the sting of a snapped 18-game win streak. It’s only the Huskies’ third Quad One opportunity since Big East play began, and they’ll need to bring their A-game in a building that’s known for turning up the pressure.
Hinkle Fieldhouse is as old-school as it gets - tight quarters, loud fans, and a history that drips from the rafters. It’s a place that demands composure.
UConn has never lost to Butler in 12 all-time meetings, dating back to their clash in the 2011 national championship game. But the Huskies have had to grind out wins here before, including a tight one last season when they trailed at halftime before rallying behind Alex Karaban and Tristen Newton.
Karaban hit a clutch three late to seal that 78-74 win, and he and then-freshman Liam McNeeley combined for 38 points in the effort. The Huskies will need that same kind of late-game execution this time around.
Butler’s Challenges - and Threats
Butler has had its moments this season - including a win over then-No. 15 Virginia on a neutral court back in November.
But the Bulldogs have struggled to string together wins in Big East play, sitting at 4-9 in the conference. They’ll be without guard Azavier Robinson, who’s done for the season with a wrist injury.
Still, this isn’t a team UConn can take lightly. Finley Bizjack leads the Big East in scoring at 17.9 points per game, and forward Michael Ajayi isn’t far behind with 15.8 - good for sixth in the league. The Huskies held the pair to just 15 combined points on 5-for-21 shooting in their first meeting back in December, a 79-60 UConn win in Hartford that opened conference play.
“We’ve got those two guys circled on the scout,” Mullins said.
And make no mistake - Butler will have Mullins circled too.
The freshman’s been making a name for himself beyond Indiana. He’s averaging 11.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 47.4% from the floor and 38.4% from three. But it’s not just the numbers that stand out - it’s how he plays.
Steady, Silent, and Stepping Up
Ask around the UConn locker room, and you’ll hear the same thing: Mullins doesn’t ride the emotional rollercoaster. He’s steady.
He’s calm. And when the game gets tight, he’s ready.
“He doesn’t show the highs or the lows,” said point guard Silas Demary Jr. “He’s consistently helping us win games.
And he’s become an underrated defender. He’s turning into a pesky guy on that end, and it’s helping him get out in transition and hit those open threes.”
That’s the kind of two-way impact Hurley needs, especially after a performance against St. John’s that exposed some cracks - rebounding issues, defensive lapses inside, and struggles at the free throw line. The Huskies spent the weekend in the film room, getting an unfiltered look at where things went wrong.
“When you watch that film, you’re not thinking about Quad One or the Big East standings,” Hurley said. “You’re thinking about the stuff that just happened. That’s got your full attention.”
A Championship Response Starts Here
UConn’s looking for more than just a win on Wednesday - they’re looking for a response. A championship-caliber answer to a rare setback.
A return to the fundamentals that got them to this point. And if they’re serious about making it back to Indianapolis in April - for the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium - this game could be a key step on that path.
A win would mark their sixth in eight Quad One games, a strong résumé builder as March looms. But more than that, it would show that this team knows how to take a punch - and punch back.
And for Braylon Mullins, it’s a chance to do it in front of the people who’ve been watching him since day one. Just don’t expect him to crack a smile until the final buzzer sounds.
What to Know:
- Site: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
- Series: UConn leads, 12-0
- Last Meeting: Dec.
16, 2025 - UConn 79, Butler 60 at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford