Braylon Mullins scored 22 points, including five three-pointers, to lead UConn to an 84-68 victory over Ohio State on Friday, kicking off the Huskies’ toughest seven-game stretch of the season. The win came despite UConn missing 6-foot-8 transfer Nik Khamenia, who suffered a left-foot injury earlier this week in their game against Wagner.
UConn’s schedule over the next two weeks includes five matchups against power-conference teams projected to reach the 2027 NCAA Tournament, four of whom feature in the latest CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 rankings. The Huskies currently sit at No. 2 in those rankings, trailing only Florida, which improved to 4-0 after a dominant 83-54 win over Merrimack on Friday.
Coach Dan Hurley acknowledged the challenges ahead and the impact of injuries. “We’re UConn,” Hurley said to TNT’s Andy Katz after the game. “We’re dealing with some medical stuff, [and] not just with Nik. But, you know, we’ve just got a culture and a mindset.”
Khamenia’s absence is the latest obstacle for UConn, which has had to manage without key newcomers in four straight seasons. Despite this, the Huskies have averaged 31.7 wins per season during that span and made two Final Four appearances, including a national championship. This resilience has helped maintain their status as one of college basketball’s elite programs.
On Friday, Mullins’ shooting display was central to UConn’s performance. He converted 7 of 13 shots from the field and was the top scorer, helping the Huskies build a lead over the Buckeyes who could not respond. The victory gave UConn a strong start to the demanding schedule that includes road trips to Arizona and Chicago, where they face top-ranked opponents.
KenPom.com projections suggest UConn needs to pull off at least one upset in this stretch to reach a 5-2 record, a scenario that would require unexpected wins against teams like Arizona, Duke, or Illinois. Hurley’s confidence in his team’s mindset and culture reflects an optimism that UConn can meet these challenges even without Khamenia.
Meanwhile, the coaching rankings reflect UConn's standing in college basketball. Hurley was voted the No. 1 coach in CBS Sports’ recent list, with Florida’s Todd Golden at No. 4. These rankings echo the success of the two programs, which have combined to win three of the past four national championships.
As UConn moves forward through this demanding sequence of games, their depth and experience will be tested. The Huskies’ ability to adapt without Khamenia and to rely on leaders like Mullins will shape their chances to maintain their top ranking and contend for another deep NCAA Tournament run.
According to CBS.
