UConn basketball sees starters shine in 103-98 OT win at Providence.
This win for UConn basketball was without a doubt one of the best wins a team has had all season in college basketball. This was a rollercoaster of a game for UConn fans as UConn was down most of the game.
Every time UConn was gaining momentum, Providence would answer to prevent UConn from taking the lead in the second half. UConn was down by 11 with under three minutes in regulation but then went on a quick 9-0 run in large part to their full court press.
Tarris Reed Jr. tied the game at 89 with 13 seconds left on a put-back to send the game to overtime where UConn was able to gut out a 103-98 win.
Coach Dan Hurley said afterwards that this was one of the best wins he’s ever had in his career and it is hard to argue that. What a special game this was and a great showcase for proving why college basketball at its best is unmatched.
HUSKIES. WIN. pic.twitter.com/F1hHJZRFqs
— UConn Men’s Basketball (@UConnMBB) January 8, 2026
Silas Demary Jr. the perfect transfer for UConn basketball.
This is the player UConn envisioned when looking for a point guard out of the portal. This was a game Silas Demary Jr. had has handprints all over. It was like watching a conductor leading the orchestra and it was beautiful to witness.
He had perfect control over the offense, leading the way with 15 assists to go along with 23 points. This was the first time since 2017 that a Big East player finished with over 20 points and 15 assists in a regular season game.
The most impressive aspect of this game for him was how cool, calm, and collected he was down the stretch. Playing in one of college basketball’s most hostile environments he showed that he is a cold blooded killer on the basketball court, hitting the dagger mid range jumper in overtime to seal the win for the Huskies.
It’s rare in college to have a player that instills complete confidence when the game is winding down but Silas Demary Jr. has been that guy for UConn basketball.
There was not a doubt in my mind that when he was stepping to the free throw line in crunch time that he was going to make both shots, and that’s exactly what he did at the end of regulation as well as in overtime.
Braylon Mullins is a freshman phenom.
Braylon Mullins once again showed that he is no ordinary freshman. He showed no fear down the stretch and no moment was too big for him especially in overtime.
He led UConn basketball with 8 points in overtime and finished with a career high 24 points as well as a career high 6 three pointers.
His best three performances of the season were in three of the most intimidating venues for a college player to play in. He willed UConn to a win earlier this season at Allen Fieldhouse, dropping 17 points while returning from an ankle injury,
He then went on the road at the Cintas Center and dropped another 17 points on a Xavier team that was playing really good basketball in what was his first true difficult road test in the Big East Conference.
It is so rare for a freshman to be so poised when on the road and Mullins is proving why it doesn’t matter how bright the lights are, he is going to deliver for UConn basketball.
Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr. the steady hands.
As upperclassmen, these two did exactly what UConn basketball fans expect them to do. They helped fuel the second half comeback and picked up their play once halftime ended.
Alex Karaban continued his case as an All-American, scoring 14 second half points and hitting some big shots to keep UConn within striking distance every time Providence appeared as though they were going to break the game open.
Tarris Reed Jr. was a force down low in the second half and overtime, scoring 16 points of his own while doing it all on the defensive end with 2 blocks and 3 steals.
These two are some of the best players in the country and are the stir that mixes the drink for a UConn team that is poised to make another Final Four run.