UConn men’s basketball held steady at No. 5 in the latest AP Top 25, and while that might not reflect the full weight of their recent performance, make no mistake - the Huskies are rolling. Their latest win, a wire-to-wire dismantling of then-No. 13 Illinois at Madison Square Garden, was the kind of statement victory that reinforces why this team is once again a serious national contender.
Even though the AP voters didn’t bump UConn up this week, the Illini felt the effects, sliding down a spot to No. 14.
Meanwhile, Kansas re-entered the Top 25 at No. 21, just in time for a marquee showdown with the Huskies at Phog Allen Fieldhouse on Tuesday night. That one has all the makings of an early-season classic.
The Jayhawks are coming off a gritty road win over No. 17 Tennessee - a bounce-back effort that got them back into the rankings - and they might be getting a key reinforcement.
Star freshman Darryn Peterson, who’s been sidelined for six games with a hamstring injury, is a game-time decision for the matchup against UConn. If he suits up, it adds another layer of intrigue to an already loaded non-conference battle.
Elsewhere in the Big East, St. John’s is holding down the No. 23 spot, while Seton Hall is knocking on the door after a strong showing in the Maui Invitational.
UConn’s upcoming opponent, Florida, sits at No. 15, setting up another high-profile game at Madison Square Garden next week. And former opponent BYU is holding firm at No. 9 - a win that’s aging well on UConn’s résumé.
The Huskies’ lone loss this season came at the hands of Arizona, who remains at No. 2 and picked up six first-place votes this week.
If you’re looking for more evidence of UConn’s strength, the NCAA’s first NET rankings of the season back it up. The Huskies debuted at No. 8, bolstered by a 2-1 record in Quad One games.
With Kansas (No. 17) and Florida (No. 33) up next, there’s a real chance to add more quality wins to the ledger. Their non-conference schedule is proving to be a savvy move - not just for March positioning, but for sharpening this team against elite competition early.
Only three other Big East programs - Butler (No. 21), St. John’s (No. 23), and Seton Hall (No. 50) - cracked the NET top 50, underscoring just how important these out-of-league matchups are for UConn’s long-term seeding prospects.
And while the AP Poll didn’t budge, the analytics are telling a different story. UConn climbed to No. 7 overall in KenPom, with a top-12 offensive efficiency rating.
But it’s the defense that really turned heads over the weekend. Holding Illinois under one point per possession - something few teams manage against that high-powered offense - vaulted the Huskies to No. 8 nationally in defensive efficiency.
That balance is what sets this group apart. UConn is now one of just six teams in the country ranking in the top 15 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, joining elite company in Michigan, Arizona, Duke, Gonzaga, and Iowa State.
So while the pollsters may not have moved UConn up this week, the numbers - and the eye test - tell a different story. This team is deep, disciplined, and dangerous on both ends of the floor. And with heavyweight matchups on deck, the Huskies have a golden opportunity to keep proving they belong in the thick of the national title conversation.