Preview: No. 5 UConn men’s basketball vs. No. 13 Illinois | Nov. 28, 12:30 p.m., FOX

The UConn men’s basketball team did exactly what it needed to do Sunday against Bryant, picking up positive momentum heading into a top-15 ranked matchup at Madison Square Garden. Without Tarris Reed Jr., Silas Demary Jr. recorded the fifth triple-double in program history as UConn downed the Bulldogs 72-49, leading comfortably from tip-to-buzzer. The Huskies, now 5-1 on the season, dropped to No. 5 in the most recent AP Top 25 Poll, being leapfrogged by Duke and Arizona. The latter of the two has risen to No. 2 following its win over UConn last Wednesday.

Illinois is 6-1 on the season, coming into Storrs South sporting one of the most high-powered offenses in the nation. The Fighting Illini are No. 14 in KenPom rankings and No. 7 in its offensive efficiency rankings, while UConn ranks No. 12 and No. 10 in the two categories, respectively. Mark Underwood’s team has had two true tests on their schedule prior to Friday, a win over current No. 20 Texas Tech on Nov. 11 and a loss to No. 8 Alabama on Nov. 19. With the strength of the Big Ten this season, many more will await this squad down the road in conference play. The team’s most recent game, a Monday matchup against UT Rio Grande Valley, resulted in a 87-73 win.

In any given night, any of Illinois’ starters can burn you for 20+ points. Thus far on the season, four Fighting Illini are averaging at least 15 ppg. Junior guard Andrej Stojakovic (16.8 ppg) leads the team, trailed closely by senior guard Kylan Boswell (16.1 ppg) and freshmen guards David Mirkovic (15.1 ppg) and Keaton Wagler (15 ppg). Croatian twin brothers Tomislav (10.8 ppg) and Zvonimir Ivisic (7.9 ppg) are both 7+ feet centers who chip in offensively and make scoring on the interior a nightmare. Zvonimir has hosted block parties nightly, putting up 18 in seven games (2.6 per game), a top 10 mark in the country.

Date/Time: Friday, November 28, 12:30 p.m.

TV: FOX

Radio: UConn Sports Network, Sirius XM 201, Sirius/XM online streaming

Odds: UConn: 54.7% chance to win, according to ESPN Matchup Predictor

Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

KenPom Predicted Score: UConn 79, Illinois 77. 58% win probability

Series History

Despite having played only four times, the history between these two teams dates back to December 21, 1938, when Illinois defeated UConn 49–23 at Huff Gym—now known as Huff Hall, home to the Fighting Illini volleyball, wrestling, and men’s and women’s gymnastics teams. UConn has won the last three matchups (1992, 1994, 2024). The most recent meeting came in the 2024 Elite Eight, where the Huskies used a 30–0 run spanning the late first half and early second half to pull away and eventually win, 77–52, and advance to the Final Four in Phoenix, where they went on to win their sixth national championship.

Inactives report

Tarris Reed Jr. sat out Sunday against Bryant with a high ankle sprain, missing his second consecutive game and third this regular season. After Dan Hurley referred to Storrs as the “ankle sprain capital of the world,” he has also acknowledged both Reed and Braylon Mullins are “in play” for Friday’s game. And at Wednesday’s media availability, Hurley stated that both are still game-time decisions for Friday. Were Mullins to play, it would be an accelerated return for the Preseason Big East Freshman of the Year, who’s original injury timeline placed a return sometime in December, around UConn’s matchup against Florida. Were Reed to not play Friday, he is expected back for Dec. 2 on the road against Kansas. After much speculation about Jacob Furphy’s health, he finally made his college debut Sunday against Bryant.

What to Watch For

A big crowd in UConn’s favor

Not only is this UConn’s first game of the season at Storrs South, but it is Illinois’ first game of the season outside of its home state. The Fighting Illini have played six of their first seven games at home, and their one road game — the loss to Alabama — was played in Chicago’s United Center the same night UConn squared off against BYU at TD Garden.

As such, UConn needs to use a potentially large, favorable crowd to their advantage. Treating Friday like a home game can give the Huskies an edge Illinois cannot counter. Get out to an early lead, get the crowd on its feet, and let the UConn chants rain over the hardwood.

Keep Reibe involved

Reed’s status will obviously weigh heavily on the outcome of the game. When he is on the floor, he is an integral cog in the Huskies’ offensive machine, but even a minutes restriction could open the door for Illinois to capitalize on a weaker rotation. What does this mean for Eric Reibe? The freshman center was excellent in the loss to Arizona and played very well again in a start against Bryant. He led the team in scoring in both games and was named the Big East Freshman of the Week, averaging 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds between the two games. Sustained success will be vital to a UConn win Friday.

The development of Reibe’s three point shot has been interesting to watch unfold. Arizona left the big man open on the perimeter all game, practically daring him to let it fly from a range he has not displayed much of a skillset from. Nonetheless, he connected on two big threes in the second half against the Wildcats, one of which tied the game with just minutes to spare down the stretch. Against Bryant, he did not attempt a three, though Illinois will most definitely be gameplanning for the possibility of Reibe taking a shot or two if left open. Even with all the complicated sets and movements that make up UConn’s offense, sometimes the best shot to take is merely the open one.

If Reed is on the floor, Reibe will still play a large role given a likely minutes restriction. If Reed is not, Reibe’s importance is only magnified.

Understanding Karaban

Alex Karaban has had a weird last two games.

The senior took just five shots in 35 minutes against Arizona, converting on two for a game total of eight points. In 33 minutes against Bryant, he shot 2-10 from the floor and struggled to find his rhythm offensively, especially from beyond the arc. In seven attempts, he hit just one three as he ended the night with five points — his lowest total since last February, when he scored three points in a loss to St. John’s.

A tough defensive matchup against Arizona could be the reasoning for his struggles last Wednesday. Freshman Koa Peat gave him, and the entire team, truthfully, plenty of fits as he dropped in 16 points. That excuse does not translate to Bryant, a team that has struggled on the offensive end all year.

Karaban went through what otherwise felt like a season-long scoring slump last year. He never seemed able to get his shot right. Those issues were thought to be swept away to start this season as he poured in 18.3 ppg through the BYU game. Ater two head-scratching nights in a row, what will UConn get from him against Illinois?

Solving Solo

Much like Karaban, Solo Ball has just not been himself on offense. After shooting 1-for-8 from three against Arizona, he shot just 1-for-6 from range against Bryant. It has almost looked like the junior is more focused on drawing a foul during his shooting motion than actually making the basket. Motions of kicking out his feet, sweeping his arms and trying to find contact during the shot has complicated a stroke that is so pure at its best. On the year, his three-point percentage has dipped to a season-low 25%.

It is obvious just how dangerous UConn is when Ball, and Karaban, for that matter, is feeling it from deep. His success around the rim and in the midrange have kept him a focal point of UConn’s offense, but his greatest strength that propelled his breakout season last year has been the biggest thorn in his side thus far this year.

If there’s any time to get insanely hot, Friday would be ideal. Silas Demary Jr. can’t post triple doubles every game.