College Basketball

UConn Huskies 2025–26 Preview: Why the No. 3 Team in Our Preseason Rankings Is Built for a Title Run

Posted by Kim Muhammad on

🔁 Core Players: Championship DNA Still Intact

⭐ Alex Karaban | Junior | Forward

  • 2024–25 Stats: 14.3 PPG | 5.3 RPG | 2.8 APG
  • Shooting Splits: 44% FG | 35% 3PT
  • Accolades: Two-time NCAA Champion | NBA Draft Prospect (2026)

Karaban returns as the heartbeat of this UConn roster. A floor-spacing forward with a calm, surgical approach, Karaban has been a starter since day one. His understanding of the system, combined with postseason poise and a high basketball IQ, makes him the undisputed leader of this team. Look for his draft stock to rise as he steps into an even larger scoring and leadership role.

🧠 Solo Ball | Sophomore | Guard

Solo Ball showed flashes of shot-making and backcourt toughness last season and now returns to form a more mature, experienced backcourt nucleus. His athleticism and confidence should allow him to take the next leap, especially with better distribution around him.

Solo Ball

🛡️ Tarris Reed Jr. | Junior | Center

  • Transfer from Michigan (2024)
  • 2024–25 UConn Contributor

Reed, a former Top-40 recruit, anchors the paint with size, mobility, and rim protection. He brings Big Ten battle scars and fits perfectly into UConn’s physical interior blueprint. His ability to finish around the rim and hedge defensively will be pivotal in anchoring the Huskies’ defense.

🔄 Returning Rotation Players:

  • Jayden Ross – Versatile wing with length and shot-making potential
  • Jaylin Stewart – Strong-bodied forward with breakout potential; could battle for a starting role
  • Jacob Ross – Incoming freshman wing and brother of Jayden; brings continuity and untapped upside

🔄 Transfer Portal Additions: Plug-and-Play Impact

🎯 Silas Demary Jr. | Junior | Guard | Transfer from Georgia

  • 2024–25 Stats: 1,039 minutes played (team-high)
  • Known for his two-way motor and unselfishness, Demary will likely run the point and serve as the engine behind UConn’s half-court offense. His presence means more open looks for shooters and better tempo control in big games.

🔥 Malachi Smith | Junior | Guard | Transfer from Dayton

  • Combo guard who complements Demary as a secondary creator
  • Brings a slasher’s mindset and strong feel for off-ball reads
  • Smith adds scoring and poise to a retooled backcourt that needed a spark

💪 Dwayne Koroma | Senior | Forward | Transfer from Le Moyne

  • 2024–25 Stats: 11.5 PPG | 7.2 RPG | 71.4% FG | 35.7% 3PT
    Koroma offers physical toughness and elite efficiency. Though stepping up from the NEC, his size, rebounding, and stretch-four ability give Hurley depth behind Karaban and Reed.

🎯 Alec Millender | Senior | Guard | Transfer from IUPUI

  • 2024–25 Stats: 8.2 PPG | 3.7 APG | 1.8 RPG
    Millender, a fifth-year vet, adds leadership, shooting consistency, and ball control. He may not start, but his presence in the second unit could be a major luxury.

🧬 Freshman Class: Talent That Could Tip the Scales

🌟 Braylon Mullins | Freshman | SG | Consensus Top-20 Recruit

Arguably the most college-ready freshman in the class, Mullins is a three-level scorer who could push for a starting role by midseason. His feel for the game, off-ball IQ, and deep shooting make him a natural fit in Hurley’s system.

🔥 Jacob Furphy | Freshman | Wing

An Australian product with great length and athleticism, Furphy brings international experience and a versatile offensive package. He could blossom into a dynamic two-way threat.

🧱 Eric Reibe | Freshman | Center

A 7-footer with upside, Reibe provides rim protection and rebounding depth behind Reed. He’ll benefit from development time but could become a key factor by March.

🔍 Team Identity: Reloading for a Three-Peat Run

UConn will once again lean on its elite defense, physicality in the paint, and surgical ball movement. With better point guard play (Demary, Smith, Millender), improved shot creation (Mullins, Karaban), and a battle-tested returning core, the Huskies are positioned to make another Final Four push.

Dan Hurley has crafted a culture built on effort, accountability, and championship execution. Even with departures to the NBA and graduation, the Huskies haven’t fallen off—they’ve just reloaded.

🏀 2025–26 Outlook: National Contender

  • Bart Torvik Ranking: No. 9
  • Joe Lunardi (ESPN): No. 2 Seed Projection
  • Gary Parrish (CBS Sports): No. 4 National Ranking

If the freshman class acclimates and the transfers mesh quickly, UConn could finish the season right back on the sport’s biggest stage—with a shot at carving its name even deeper into college basketball lore.

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