UConn Men’s Basketball Opens Season Against New Haven on November 3

STORRS, Conn. – The No. 4 University of Connecticut men’s basketball team will start its 2025-26 season on Monday night, welcoming New Haven to Gampel Pavilion. The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

This matchup marks the beginning of UConn‘s 123rd season, continuing the legacy of the six-time national champions. UConn aims to extend its streak of five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, as it enters the season ranked in the preseason Top 10 for the third straight year.

In preparation for the season, UConn played two exhibition games, defeating Boston College 71-52 on October 13 and No. 22 Michigan State 76-69 on October 28. In those games, the Huskies showcased their talent, with Alex Karaban and Solo Ball both scoring 18 points against MSU.

The Huskies are blending five returning players with 10 newcomers, retaining nearly 60 percent of their points from last season. Key returners include Karaban, who aims to showcase his skills as an All-America candidate, and Ball, who excelled as a sophomore last year.

Alongside the returners, UConn welcomes new talent such as Demary Jr., who averaged over 13 points per game at Georgia, and a pair of McDonald’s All-Americans in Mullins and Reibe, who are expected to make immediate impacts.

New Haven will also be debuting in Division I following their transition to the Northeast Conference this year. Ken Hotaling, in his 15th season as head coach, leads a team coming off a 12-17 record in the Northeast-10.

Following the opening game, UConn is scheduled to face UMass Lowell at PeoplesBank Arena on November 7.