In the thrilling arena of college basketball, preseason games often leave fans scratching their heads with mixed results—but imagine if your top performers were sidelined before tip-off. That's the gripping reality that unfolded as the UConn Huskies edged out Boston College 71-52 in an exhibition clash at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville. And here's where it gets controversial: Can a team truly be judged when key pieces of the puzzle are out of the picture? Let's dive into the details and see what this means for the Huskies' bright future.
Any evaluation of the UConn men's basketball squad's performance in this opener should come with a hefty dose of skepticism—think two enormous caveats towering over the analysis. We're talking about a 6-foot-11 caveat and a 6-foot-4 one, precisely.
The Huskies faced off against Boston College on Monday evening without two anticipated starters, who are also potential All-Big East honorees. Tarris Reed Jr., the towering 6-11 senior center, and Silas Demary Jr., the nimble 6-4 point guard, were relegated to the sidelines due to leg ailments. Demary, dealing with a calf issue, is expected to return soon and even warmed up lightly before the game. Reed, however, with his hamstring injury, might be sidelined for a longer stretch, potentially missing more action.
'Tarris, when he's not drawing fouls, stands out as one of the most efficient defensive centers out there,' remarked head coach Dan Hurley. 'And Silas is our top player on the perimeter defense.'
Their absences undoubtedly weighed on the Huskies' victory, yet amidst some recurring challenges from the previous season—like excessive fouling, weak rebounding, and stretches of poor shooting from beyond the arc—UConn found comfort in the solid showings from the backups slated to fill those roles this year.
For instance, Eric Reibe, the 7-foot freshman center, chipped in with eight points and six rebounds, showcasing his potential in a starter's spot. Meanwhile, Malachi Smith, the point guard who transferred from Dayton, racked up seven points, five assists, a block, and committed just one turnover—proving he's a dynamic force.
'I was impressed with how Eric carried himself,' Hurley shared. 'He didn't finish every play, but he positioned himself smartly and moved effectively. He's got the makings of a fantastic player.'
Leading the charge for UConn was Alex Karaban, who tallied 17 points (despite a 3-for-10 performance from three-point range) and snagged 11 rebounds. Solo Ball contributed 12 points (hitting only 1 of 8 threes), matching the output of freshman Braylon Mullins.
While the Huskies' defense shone brightly in the opening half, fueled by Smith's vigor, other facets struggled. They connected on just 5 of 21 attempts from downtown and fouled out to send Boston College to the free-throw line 15 times, while they only visited the line twice themselves.
Despite these hiccups, UConn maintained control throughout the first half, heading into intermission with a 35-27 advantage. The second half brought more shooting woes—they missed their first five three-point tries—but the defense faltered as well, allowing Boston College to foul out several UConn players and snatch their first lead at 38-37, about five minutes in.
Yet, the Huskies bounced back decisively with a putback by Dwayne Koroma at the 12-minute mark, securing the lead for the remainder of the game.
'We showed some promising moments on both ends of the floor,' Karaban noted. 'There's still plenty of room for growth, with a full season ahead. We pushed through the challenges.'
Hurley added, 'Experiencing a bit of hardship without some crucial players was beneficial for the squad. It reinforced my faith in the team's resilience.'
Now, let's break down each player's role in this Monday night matchup, with some extra context to help newcomers to basketball understand their contributions:
Alex Karaban: His shooting struggles from last year resurfaced early, as he missed his opening four attempts from beyond the arc. But he turned things around with aggressive drives to the basket. Later, he drained a couple of clutch threes to widen UConn's edge. For Karaban, the focus this season should be maintaining composure when long shots aren't falling—instead, drive strong and excel in multiple areas, as he did with 11 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
Solo Ball: Despite hitting only one of eight threes, that's not a huge worry—expect him to rank among the nation's elite sharpshooters this year. He needs to sharpen his skills elsewhere, especially defensively. Hurley wasn't ready to heap too much praise ('I'll review the footage for sure'), but he felt the visual evidence suggested Ball had improved on that end.
Malachi Smith: Filling in for the injured Silas Demary Jr., he injected vital energy, particularly on defense. With seven points, five assists, a block, and just one turnover, Hurley pointed out that his assist count could have easily doubled with better shooting from teammates. The coach emphasized that while Smith might back up Demary, he'll share significant playing time and be a 'major player with starter-level minutes.'
Braylon Mullins: This talented freshman got the nod to start, reflecting his strong preseason and the coaches' confidence in the 6-6 marksman. He played just 16 minutes while accumulating four fouls and went 2-for-7 from three, but his height, agility, and court presence are impressive. He could very well emerge as the Big East's top rookie this season—by a wide margin.
Eric Reibe: The 7-footer stepped in for Tarris Reed Jr. and delivered, scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds. He picked up two early fouls but avoided more. His footwork and movement are noteworthy, and even though he didn't attempt a three-pointer, Reibe possesses guard-like abilities as a shooter and playmaker.
Jaylin Stewart: It seems he's ceded the starting wing spot to Mullins, but the 6-7 junior showed flashes of brilliance. He shot 3-for-9 overall (1-for-5 from three) and collected three rebounds in 20 minutes, appearing more confident and powerful than in seasons past.
Jayden Ross: The 6-6 junior wing's stats might look modest—four points on 2-for-3 shooting (including a disputed goaltending call) and four rebounds in 17 minutes—but his team-leading plus-26 in plus/minus changes the narrative entirely, highlighting his positive impact.
'We want Jayden playing around 15-20 minutes, knocking down threes,' Hurley explained. 'The team desperately needs wings like Jaylin and Jayden to step up defensively and contribute significantly as big, versatile forwards.'
Dwayne Koroma: The experienced grad transfer from elsewhere saw 12 minutes, more than usual when Reed and Reibe are fit. He pulled down five rebounds, and his single bucket gave UConn the permanent lead at 41-40 midway through the second half.
Alec Millender: Like Koroma, the transfer from IU-Indy logged 14 minutes, which might dwindle when Demary and Smith return. Still, he distributed four assists, made both free throws, and lived up to the coaches' hype since joining the program.
Jacob Furphy: The freshman hailing from Tasmania missed his lone shot (a transition reverse layup) in five minutes, mostly late-game. Breaking into the regular lineup will be challenging for 'Tazzy,' but he might carve out some memorable spots.
And this is the part most people miss: Rim rattlings—those extra insights into the game.
Hurley expressed frustration over the injuries to Demary and Reed, saying in his 15 years as head coach, he's 'never dealt with players missing time due to these soft-tissue issues.'
He mentioned Reed sat out about two weeks of practice last month, came back briefly, then re-aggravated his hamstring. Hurley predicts Reed won't be ready for the October 28 exhibition against Michigan State in Hartford, but he might return for the season opener the next week.
'Our priority is ensuring the player's well-being,' Hurley stated.
Additionally, Hurley began his postgame press conference by extending heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mary Sohon Volz, a devoted UConn supporter who passed away from cancer on September 30. He recalled she was diagnosed just before the 2023 Final Four in Houston but attended anyway, and continued cheering despite her illness last season.
'She embodied the ultimate UConn fan ... along with her entire family. Remarkable individuals. As a team and program, we'll give it our all to secure a championship for that wonderful family.'
Now, here's where it gets really thought-provoking: With star players missing, is this win a true indicator of UConn's potential, or just a fluke under unusual circumstances? And could these injuries actually strengthen the team's depth by giving backups more shine? Fans, what do you think—will UConn dominate despite the setbacks, or is there a risk of underperforming? Do you agree with the coaches' optimism about players like Reibe and Mullins? Weigh in below with your opinions or predictions!
