UConn Returns to Hartford Riding Momentum Into Showdown With Villanova
The No. 2 UConn Huskies are back on the floor this Saturday, and they’re bringing a whole lot of momentum with them.
After a short break in their conference schedule, the 18-1 Huskies are set to host Villanova (15-4) at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
ET on FOX, and it’s shaping up to be a heavyweight clash between two of the BIG EAST’s most storied programs.
This isn’t just another game on the schedule - it’s a marquee matchup with serious implications atop the conference standings. UConn enters the weekend undefeated in BIG EAST play at 8-0, riding a 14-game winning streak that’s tied for the program’s longest in a single season since 1995.
And if you’re counting, that’s the third time in the last four years the Huskies have strung together 14 straight wins. This team knows how to build - and sustain - momentum.
Saturday also marks UConn’s Coaches vs. Cancer Game, a cause close to home for the program. Fans attending the game are encouraged to visit Section 124, where Andrea Hurley and other members of the UConn family will be distributing buttons in honor of loved ones affected by cancer.
Home Sweet Hartford
The Huskies haven’t played in Hartford since January 10, and they’ll be glad to be back. UConn is 5-0 at PeoplesBank Arena this season and has won 24 straight games at the downtown venue. That kind of home-court dominance doesn’t happen by accident - it’s a product of consistent execution, defensive intensity, and a fan base that brings it every night.
A Rivalry Reignited
UConn and Villanova go way back - all the way to 1941, in fact - but the rivalry really picked up steam when the Wildcats joined the BIG EAST in its early years. Since UConn rejoined the conference in 2020-21, the Huskies hold a 7-4 edge in the series, including six wins in the last seven meetings. Last season, the two teams split their regular-season matchups before UConn took the rubber match in the BIG EAST Tournament quarterfinals.
Surviving the Road in D.C.
The Huskies’ most recent outing came on January 17, when they escaped with a gritty 64-62 road win over Georgetown. It wasn’t pretty - in fact, it was their lowest shooting percentage of the season - but it was the kind of game that championship-caliber teams find a way to win. UConn led by 10 early, trailed in the second half, then used a 9-0 run to regain control and never looked back.
Tarris Reed Jr. was the anchor in that one, posting 15 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, and three steals - his third double-double of the season. Silas Demary Jr. added 12 points, five assists, four boards, and three steals. Braylon Mullins chipped in 11 points, and Solo Ball added 10, helping the Huskies grind out a win when their offense wasn’t firing on all cylinders.
Balanced and Dangerous
Reed Jr. has been a steady force all season, averaging 14.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game while shooting a blistering 60.9% from the field. Solo Ball isn’t far behind with 14.1 points per game, and he’s one of five UConn starters averaging double figures - a testament to the team’s depth and unselfish play.
Alex Karaban continues to be a model of consistency and versatility. The All-America candidate ranks in the top three on the team in scoring (13.6 ppg), rebounding (5.3 rpg), and assists (2.0 apg), all while shooting 48.2% from the field, 42% from deep, and 84.6% from the line.
He recently moved into second place in program history for career starts (129) and became just the 19th Husky to surpass 1,600 career points. That’s rare air in Storrs.
Demary Jr. is the engine that keeps UConn’s offense humming. He leads the BIG EAST with 6.1 assists per game - and that number climbs to 7.5 during conference play.
But his impact isn’t limited to the offensive end. He’s the tone-setter on a defense that ranks sixth in KenPom’s defensive efficiency and sits in the national top 10 in scoring defense (63.3 ppg, 7th) and opponent effective field goal percentage (43.6%, 4th).
They’re also swatting 5.7 shots per game, good for 11th in the country.
Scouting the Wildcats
Villanova rolls into Hartford with a 15-4 record and a 6-2 mark in BIG EAST play, fresh off a win over Georgetown. Bryce Lindsay leads the Wildcats in scoring at 14.7 points per game and is shooting an even 40% from beyond the arc.
Tyler Perkins and Acaden Lewis are right behind him, each averaging 12.3 points per contest. Lewis also leads the team in assists (5.2) and steals (1.9), ranking among the conference’s best in both categories.
Up front, Duke Brennan has been a force. He’s averaging a double-double with 12.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, while shooting an eye-popping 65.9% from the field. If UConn wants to stay unbeaten in league play, they’ll need to keep Brennan off the glass and out of rhythm.
What’s at Stake
This one has all the makings of a classic BIG EAST battle - two proud programs, both ranked, both playing high-level basketball, and both eyeing the top of the conference standings. UConn has history on its side, momentum in its favor, and a home crowd ready to bring the noise. But Villanova isn’t coming to Hartford to play the underdog role.
For the Huskies, it’s another chance to prove they’re not just the class of the BIG EAST - they’re one of the most complete teams in the country.