Though the record books will never know it, the No. 4 UConn men’s basketball team curbed No. 22 Michigan State on Tuesday night, at the newly named PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, CT.
The preseason matchup gave the college basketball world a chance to see how two of the sports most storied programs stacked up ahead of their 2025-26 campaigns.
“It’s just awesome for us to be able to get an exhibition versus, one of the greatest coaches to ever do it in college, and then one of the classiest, winningest programs,” UConn head coach Dan Hurley said.
The Huskies were without two of their presumed front court starters.
Preseason All-Big East First Team selection Tarris Reed Jr. did not participate due to a hamstring injury that has plagued him throughout UConn’s scrimmage slate. Meanwhile, the team announced on Friday that Preseason Big East Freshman of the Year Braylon Mullins suffered an ankle sprain that will sideline him for six weeks.
Eric Reibe was called on once again to fill the gap at the five spot in place of Reed. The freshman center had eight points and six rebounds in UConn’s scrimmage against Boston College on Oct. 13.
Hurley expressed on Monday before the game that he was a “little worried” about Reibe going up against an experienced Spartans front court, which featured two returners from last year’s Big 10 regular season champs, Coen Carr and Jaxon Kohler.
Reibe made his presence felt early on, rejecting two shot attempts and snatching four rebounds in the first four minutes of action. However, foul trouble limited Reibe’s playing time in the second half.
“Eric, I thought held up reasonably well, or pretty well, for a freshman versus those Big 10 front court players,” Hurley said.
Solo Ball was named to the Jerry West Award Preseason Watch List on Tuesday morning, an award given to the best shooting guard in the country
Ball showed UConn fans that he was selected for good reason. While he was not shooting the three to his usual standard (14%), the third-year guard consistently finished at the rim on his way to a first half-leading 12 points.
He spearheaded the winning effort alongside Alex Karaban. They each finished the game with 18 points.
“I thought the finishing was a lot better than last year,” Hurley said. “I think he made real strides that way.”
Michigan State got production out of its starting point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. The Huskies faced his brother, Jeremiah Fears, in the first round of last year’s NCAA Tournament when he played at Oklahoma.
Fears was one of the best passers in the league last season, leading the Spartans in assists with 5.4 per game. He ranked No. 9 in the country with an assist rate of 38.9%, according to KenPom.
The 6-foot-2 guard has come alive as a scorer in the preseason, tallying double digit scoring outings in both Michigan State’s scrimmages. He averaged just over seven last season.
“I feel a lot better about Jeremy,” Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said. “I felt like he’s running my team. I felt like he’s guarding pretty good.”
Silas Demary Jr. made his debut in Husky threads on Tuesday night, after missing the scrimmage with Boston due to a calf injury. He was selected to the Preseason Watch List for the Bob Cousy Award on Monday, an honor given to the best point guard in the country.
Huskies’ fans eagerly waited to see him in action, and he did not disappoint. Demary ignited UConn’s offense in the opening minutes, knocking down two triples to grab an early seven-point lead.
He finished his inaugural outing for the team with nine points and three assists but found himself in foul trouble as well with five on the game.
“It does give you a chance to get some jitters out for Silas,” Hurley said. “I think we’re gonna get great play from point guard.”
UConn led from the opening bucket and didn’t look back, securing a 76-69 victory, and sweeping its pair of scrimmages going into the regular season.
The team will turn its attention to a game the record books will remember, as the Huskies will embark on their quest for seven against New Haven on Monday night.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Gampel Pavillion and can be streamed on ESPN+.