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UConn and Arizona Set to Clash in Storrs in Top-Five Showdown
A highly anticipated matchup between the No. 3 UConn Huskies and the No. 4 Arizona Wildcats is set to take place Wednesday night at Gampel Pavilion,marking the first top-five game on the Connecticut campus in 19 years. The game, scheduled for a 7 p.m.tip-off and broadcast on FS1 with Jason Benetti and Bill Raftery calling the action, promises a thrilling contest between two of the nation’s elite programs.
Fans are encouraged to participate in a full-arena WHITE OUT and enjoy $2 Miller Lite specials, while supplies last, with a rematch of the 1999 National Championship game. UConn is 8-6 all-time against top-five opponents,including a memorable 89-75 victory over No. 2 Villanova in 2006, when they defeated no. 2 Villanova 89-75. UConn boasts an 8-6 record in all top-five matchups,and this is the third regular season non-conference top-five tilt in program history,joining contests at Kansas on December 1,2023,and Stanford on February 6,1999.
the Huskies hold a 5-2 all-time advantage over Arizona, including a 71-69 victory at Gampel pavilion on December 9, 2000, when Arizona was ranked No. 5.
Both teams enter Wednesday’s game with momentum, having secured impressive wins over ranked opponents over the weekend. UConn overcame a fierce rally to defeat then-no. 7 BYU 86-84 in the Hall of Fame series Boston at TD Garden, while Arizona knocked off then-No.15 UCLA 69-65 at the Intuit Dome as part of the same series. The Wildcats represent the second of six top-40 kenpom-ranked opponents the Huskies will face within a challenging 27-day non-conference schedule.
Silas Demary Jr.proved to be the hero against BYU, scoring 21 points, dishing out seven assists, grabbing five rebounds, and sealing the victory with clutch baskets and a game-saving steal in the final seconds. He was subsequently named the Hall of Series Boston MVP. Alex Karaban, playing near his childhood home, contributed 21 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting performance, including a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range. Tarris Reed jr. also added 21 points, shooting 8-of-10 from the floor, while Jayden Ross chipped in with 10 points. the Huskies’ offensive prowess was on full display, shooting 56.6% from the field and recording 21 assists on 30 field goals.
Through four games of the 2025-26 season, UConn’s offense has established itself as one of the nation’s best, ranking in the top-10 nationally in both field goal percentage and effective field goal percentage. They currently lead the BIG EAST in three-point field goal percentage and assist/turnover ratio. Defensively, UConn allows just 62.0 points per game, ranking 31st nationally and first in the BIG EAST in three-point percentage defense, and is graded as a top-15 defense by Kenpom.
Leading the Huskies in scoring is Tarris Reed Jr., averaging 20.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 74.2% from the floor and blocking 2.7 shots per game. Captain Alex Karaban follows with 18.3 points per game, boasting remarkable shooting percentages of 61.9% from the field and 63.2% from beyond the arc, along with 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Only Ball contributes 15.8 points and 4.3 rebounds, while Silas Demary Jr. is a dynamic force with 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and a league-leading 6.3 assists per game.
Arizona enters the contest with a 4-0 record, highlighted by victories over then-No. 3 Florida and then-No. 15 UCLA. The Wildcats are currently ranked top-15 in both offensive and defensive efficiency according to kenpom and have climbed to No. 4 in the AP poll. freshman Koa Peat leads U of A in scoring with 16.3 points per game on 55.
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