Even when the tough times get going UConn’s head coach ensures he can win. Dan Hurley and the No. 11 UConn Huskies made a bold statement in their Big East opener, defeating Xavier in a thrilling overtime clash. The hard-fought win highlighted UConn’s determination and marked a historic moment, cementing their place as a rising power in the conference under Hurley’s guidance, which was widely recognized by the critics.

In the recent episode of The Field Of 68: After Dark, Dauster stated, “Yeah that was a fun basketball game man, fun-fact it’s the first time since 1995 that UConn has won a Big East home opener in Hartford and it’s the first time since the 2003 that they have won a conference home opener in either camp or in Hartford. I thought it was an incredible performance of shot-making by Xavier like a shout-out to Dante Madoxx and a shout-out to Ryan Conwell.”

UConn men’s basketball team edged out Xavier (94-89) in their Big East opener. The sold-out crowd (15,684) at the XL Center witnessed an electrifying game packed with action, including 11 ties and 22 lead changes. This win marked a milestone for UConn, as it was their first conference opener victory at home since 2003 and their first at the XL Center since 1995 which was applauded by the critics.

For the Musketeers, Ryan Conwell led the charge with a game-high 23 points, while Dante Maddox Jr. delivered a standout performance with 22 points, sinking five three-pointers in the process. Their efforts kept Xavier in the fight throughout.

“I’ll tell you guys this much, if UConn’s going to get this level of shooting from Solo Ball and Liam McNeeley, Hassan Diarra with 12 points, 11 assists he’s had 41 assists and eight turnovers during this five-week winning streak.”

UConn’s offense was on fire, with all five starters scoring double figures. Solo Ball shined for the Huskies, leading the team with 22 points, including an important stretch of eight straight during a pivotal second-half run. Liam McNeeley scored all 14 of his points in the second half, and Hassan Diarra made history with his first career double-double, tallying 12 points and an impressive 11 assists with just one turnover.

The Huskies earned a hard-fought victory and improved their record to 9-3 (1-0 BIG EAST). Xavier, now 8-4 (0-1), fought fiercely, but UConn’s balanced attack sealed the win as the Huskies went to their last game for the year against the Bulldogs, taking them down 78-74.

Huskies head to Hinkle and bag a close win

The Huskies turned their focus to a road trip to historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, where they faced a Butler team eager to bounce back after a tough few weeks. And they surely did. Coming off of four straight losses, including their Big East opener against No. 9 Marquette, the Bulldogs showed their resilience, especially in the second half of the game.

It’s been a challenging few weeks for Butler, who last won nearly three weeks ago, with losses to No. 15 Houston, North Dakota State, Wisconsin, Marquette, and most recently UConn is added to the list.

The Huskies have a perfect track record against Butler, with a magnificent 9-0 record that adds one more win. The rivalry dates back to their first-ever meeting in the 2011 NCAA National Championship, where UConn claimed a 53-41 victory to secure the title.

The Bulldogs are deadly from the free-throw line, shooting over 76%, so UConn needed to stay disciplined defensively. Avoiding unnecessary fouls would have been key—not only to keep their top players in the game but also to prevent Butler from capitalizing on easy points and building offensive momentum. However, the same did not happen. The Huskies picked 20 fouls, 7 more than the Bulldogs. Result? Butler went on to shoot 23 of 28 free throws with UConn tailing at 13 of 16 free throws.

Telfort is the driving force behind the Bulldogs’ offense and a tough challenge for any team, including UConn. The 6-ft-7 Canadian combines strength, speed, and size, making him a matchup nightmare. Whether he’s overpowering smaller defenders in the paint or blowing past bigger players off the dribble, Alex Karaban will take on the tough assignment of guarding Telfort.

Dan Hurley’s thrilling overtime win over Xavier has solidified UConn’s place as a powerhouse in the Big East. Not only did the Huskies secure a hard-fought victory, but they also broke long-standing records, marking a new chapter for the program. This victory sets the stage for UConn to begin a dominant run in the conference, paving the way for what’s ahead.