For the second time in three years, UConn (6-1) is visiting Kansas for a game at the historic Allen Fieldhouse. In the last matchup, a freshman Solo Ball started with Steph Castle out injured and, despite holding a lead in the second half, the Huskies lost 69-65.
This meeting has some similarities to that top-10 matchup in 2024, though Kansas (6-2) has stumbled a bit out of the gate and currently sits No. 21 in the AP Poll. Both teams are a little dinged up, but still expect to compete at a high level.
Darryn Peterson has been out for Kansas but had looked good in early-season action and may put Bill Self’s squad back in that top tier nationally when he returns. The Class of 2025 No. 1 recruit is expected to be the top pick in this summer’s NBA Draft. Self said he’s going to be a game-time decision. (UPDATE: He’s been ruled out, via Jon Rothstein)
UConn’s five-star guard Braylon Mullins is expected to see more playing time after making his debut on a minutes restriction on Friday against Illinois. Center Tarris Reed Jr. is a game-time decision, according to head coach Dan Hurley’s pre-game media Zoom call.
“It’s gonna take Bray some time, missing just about six weeks and then being dumped into Illinois at MSG and Kansas on the road,” Hurley said. “We’re just happy he’s back on the court, can start his season, he’s gonna be a major difference maker for us…take a lot of pressure off of Alex, off Solo. He’s going to get better shots for everyone,” because of his shooting gravity.
The environment in Lawrence is something to behold, as Dan Hurley and UConn fans who attended the last meeting can attest. Team leaders Ball and Alex Karaban can share their experiences with their teammates, but Hurley said it’s difficult to simulate.
Kansas has lost to Duke and North Carolina earlier this year, with neutral-site wins over Syracuse, Notre Dame, and Tennessee last week. The Jayhawks sit 20th in KenPom with their defense leading the way, including strengths in shooting defense and allowing offensive rebounds.
“You see the offensive elements of the Kansas two-man, the angled post-ups, the ball-screen action,” Hurley said. Storrs Central’s Brian Kervick has an in-depth look at the Kansas matchup here.
Sophomore forward Flory Bidunga leads the Jayhawks in scoring and rebounding, with Hurley comparing him to Adama Sanogo, the former Husky star who led them to the first championship of his tenure.
“The guy’s a monster, in terms of his rebounding and finishing around the basket, athleticism, length, and shot-blocking,” Hurley said of Bidunga, adding that it will be “a great challenge, for young Eric [Reibe], a less than 100% Tarris Reed [Jr.], and an undersized Dwayne Koroma.”
Reibe has been a standout for the Huskies, earning extra shine in the extra playing time he’s received due to Reed’s injuries. Hurley pointed out that seeing guys like him and Malachi Smith among the team’s scoring leaders in big games is a strong sign of the team’s depth.
“The strength of this team is when all hands are on deck,” Hurley explained, “You saw it with Malachi the other day. You see it with Eric Reibe, with Tarris healthy, our sixth and seventh men have led us in scoring the last three games.”
