The UConn men’s basketball team will play arguably its toughest non-conference schedule in program history, along with a difficult Big East schedule. With the entire schedule out, now is the time to discuss the players the Huskies will face this season.
Jeremy Fears Jr., guard, Michigan State (Oct. 28)
Fears is coming off his most productive season with the Spartans, with 7.2 points per game while playing 23.7 minutes per game in comparison to 15.3 minutes during his 2023-24 campaign. He is in line to be the successor to Jase Richardson, who left for the NBA following the 2024-25 season. The Joliet, Ill. native has shown leading point guard ability, averaging 5.4 assists per game in 36 games played. According to Bart Torvik, Fears is expected to average 13.5 points, 6.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game.
AJ Dybantsa, forward, BYU (Nov. 15)
Alex Karaban will not be the only Massachusetts native making a homecoming appearance in Boston in mid-November. Dybantsa, a Brockton native, will be arguably the most talented player the Huskies have faced since the first of back-to-back national championship runs. The No. 1 overall player in his high school class is expected to be a National Player of the Year contender at BYU, with projected averages of 18.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and two assists per game according to Torvik.
Koa Peat, forward, Arizona (Nov. 19)
Four days later, Connecticut will host one of the Big 12’s top freshmen. Peat was named a McDonald’s All-American after averaging 18.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists at Perry High School in Arizona. He was named the Gatorade Player of the Year three times there and led his school to four straight state championships.
Tomislav Ivisic, center, Illinois (Nov. 28)
Ivisic is expected to be one of the top centers in the Big Ten after a stellar freshman season, putting up averages of 13 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.2% from the floor. The 7-foot-1 Croatian looks to be the best big man in Champaign since Kofi Cockburn, with Torvik projecting averages of 16.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and two assists per game.
Darryn Peterson, guard, Kansas (Dec. 2)
Peterson was one of the top recruits in his high school class, being named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year and the McDonald’s All-American Game Co-MVP. In his senior year at Prolific Prep, he averaged 30.4 points, 7.4 assists, 7.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. It is safe to say he was the best player on one of the top prep schools in the country. While no one expects him to average over 30 points per game in college, Torvik thinks a stat line of 17.9 points, 5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game is more realistic.
Boogie Fland, guard, Florida (Dec. 9, 9 p.m.)
Fland started his career in Arkansas, where he had elevated expectations after a decorated high school career lead to him being rated as a five-star recruit by ESPN. In his lone season in Fayetteville, the Bronx, N.Y. native averaged 13. Points, 5.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while being one of the most reliable free-throw shooters on the team. After one season and debating going pro, Fland decided to transfer to Florida in hopes of filling the shoes of Walter Clayton Jr. Torvik expects his stat line to improve, with averages of 15.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game expected.
Tramon Mark, guard, Texas (Dec. 12)
Mark was the Robin to Tre Johnson’s Batman, completing one of the most talented backcourts in the SEC. This season will be Mark’s last, as he has played in college since the 2020-21 season. He has made a few stops along the way with three years at Houston, the 2023-24 season at Arkansas and last season at Texas. Mark saw his averages dip last season due to a more talented backcourt, averaging 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. He is a double-figure scorer for his career, but he peaked during his only season at Arkansas, averaging 16.2 points per game. Torvik expects Mark to get back to his Razorback form with the Longhorns for one final season, with projected averages of 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
Jackson McAndrew, forward, Creighton (Jan. 31 and Feb. 18)
McAndrew turned heads during his freshman season at Creighton, being named to the Big East All-Freshman Team after averaging 7.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Those numbers may not impress anyone, but it is important to note that Creighton had Ryan Kalkbrenner, Steven Ashworth and Jamiya Neal to rely on. Because of what he did to find his way into the Bluejays’ rotation last season, there is buzz around him being one of the top players in the Big East this year. Torvik agrees, with projected averages of 14.5 points, 7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.
Zuby Ejiofor, forward, St. John’s (Feb. 6 and Feb. 25)
Ejiofor had his breakout season last year, helping lead St. John’s to its first sweep of the Big East titles since 1986. With averages of 14.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 blocks per game on 57.7% shooting, Ejiofor was not only named the Big East Most Improved Player but also earned a spot on the All-Big East First Team. Expect him to be the favorite for Big East Player of the Year, with Torvik projecting averages of 17.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.