UConn basketball just owned the night. The men beat a ranked Florida team at Madison Square Garden. The women crushed DePaul at Gampel, then lifted Sue Bird’s No. 10 to the rafters. Two wins, one message. The Huskies are rolling.
Men seize MSG, answer the bell
From my seat on press row at Madison Square Garden, No. 5 UConn closed a tense one with No. 18 Florida, 77 to 73. The Huskies moved to 9 and 1, now on a five game win streak. They shot 50 percent, stayed poised late, and got the stops they needed.
Solo Ball was the sharp edge. He poured in 19 and hit tough shots when Florida crowded the lane. Alex Karaban added 13 with calm, timely buckets. The pivot point was Tarris Reed Jr., who returned from an ankle issue and gave 12 strong points in the paint. He looked mobile, strong on seals, and changed the spacing for everyone.
Malachi Smith controlled the pace. Nine assists, few wasted dribbles, and no panic against pressure. Florida pounded the glass and held the edge there, but UConn’s shot profile and ball security won the day. A late five second call on Florida flipped a key possession. UConn closed it like a top five team.
This felt like payback for last March, when Florida sent UConn home. The Huskies did not flinch in the same kind of game. That is growth you can see in real time.
Key numbers, 50 percent shooting, 9 and 1 record, five straight wins, and a ranked win at MSG.
Women overwhelm DePaul, salute a legend
Back in Storrs, the UConn women put on a clinic. The Huskies throttled DePaul 102 to 35. They forced 32 turnovers and never let DePaul breathe. The score was lopsided by the first media timeout. The defense fueled everything, and the bench kept the fire hot.
Freshman forward Sarah Strong was ruthless in short minutes. She stacked 20 points, five rebounds, and five steals in 17 minutes. Azzi Fudd scored 16 with clean mechanics and smart cuts. Kayleigh Heckel matched 16 and pushed pace with purpose. It was layered, it was fast, and it was a message to the rest of the Big East. UConn is 9 and 0, 2 and 0 in league play, and deeper by the week.
Then the night turned into something bigger. Sue Bird’s No. 10 rose to the rafters at Gampel. Fans stood. Teammates past and present beamed. Auriemma’s eyes gave away what words could not. Bird is a standard, a proof of what this place builds. Recruits see that banner and picture their own careers in that light. The current roster sees it and knows the bar.
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Sue Bird’s No. 10 now hangs where everyone can see it at practice and on game night.
What it means right now
This is program wide momentum. The men are healthier and deeper, and it shows late in tight games. Reed’s return changes everything. He gives UConn a true post option, a rim target, and a screen setter you have to feel. That frees Karaban as a spacer. It lets Solo Ball attack single coverage. It gives Malachi Smith a vertical threat and clean reads.
The women are smothering teams with defense first. Thirty two forced turnovers is not a stat, it is an identity. Fudd’s gravity bends defenses, Strong’s two way work adds bite, and the guards hunt passing lanes. The rotation looks connected. They play with pace, but it is controlled and mean.
Across both teams, the culture is the same. Defend, share, trust the next player. Nights like this are not an accident. They are a habit.
What comes next
Next up for the men is Texas in Hartford. Expect a physical game and high level guard play. UConn will need to win first shot defense, protect the glass, and keep turnovers low. Reed’s minutes will matter against Texas size. If the ball moves, the shots will fall.
The women face No. 16 USC on December 13. USC brings length on the wings and quick hands. The Huskies must value the ball, get two to the glass, and make USC shoot over the top. If UConn’s defense travels, the offense will follow.
Four quick keys for the week ahead:
- Start fast, set the tone in the first five minutes
- Control the boards on both ends
- Get bench minutes with purpose, not just rest
- Run teams off the three point line, then finish plays
Frequently Asked Questions
Q, Who led the UConn men against Florida?
A, Solo Ball had 19 points. Alex Karaban added 13. Tarris Reed Jr. scored 12 in his return.
Q, What is the men’s record after the Jimmy V Classic?
A, The Huskies are 9 and 1, with five straight wins.
Q, Why was Sue Bird’s jersey retirement significant?
A, Bird is a UConn icon. Her number in the rafters sets a visible standard for the program’s past, present, and future.
Q, Who stood out for the UConn women vs DePaul?
A, Sarah Strong had 20 points, five rebounds, five steals. Azzi Fudd and Kayleigh Heckel each scored 16.
Q, What are the next games?
A, Men vs Texas in Hartford. Women vs No. 16 USC on December 13.
Conclusion, Two arenas, one message. UConn is built for big stages. The men proved it at the Garden. The women showed the blueprint at Gampel and honored a legend who helped build it. December is setting the tone. The Huskies look ready for the long haul.
