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A top-10 showdown headlines the weekend in college basketball as No. 7 BYU meets No. 3 UConn on Saturday night at TD Garden, with both teams entering 3-0 and looking for an early-season statement victory.
UConn comes in favored and returns much of the core that helped the Huskies reach last year’s NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national champion Florida in the second round.
After back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024, expectations remain high under coach Dan Hurley, who again has a deep, physical roster built around defense, efficiency and half-court execution. The Huskies averaged 12.3 points off turnovers and more than 20 bench points per game last season.
Forward Alex Karaban, a four-year starter and centerpiece of both championship teams, leads UConn’s veteran group. The 6-foot-8 stretch forward is shooting 8 of 15 from 3-point range through three games. Center Tarris Reed, one of the nation’s top rebounders, anchors a front line that could challenge BYU on the glass. Solo Ball provides scoring punch after averaging 14.4 points last season.
BYU arrives in Boston with momentum following a win over Villanova in Las Vegas and a 26-win season a year ago. The Cougars shot 48.2% overall and 36.8% from 3 last season, and again rely on pace, spacing and perimeter efficiency.
Their biggest concern entering Saturday is the status of forward Kennard Davis, who reportedly traveled with the team after being arrested Thursday on suspicion of DUI. BYU has not announced his availability.
The Cougars will look to match UConn’s size with athletic center Keba Keita and forward AJ Dybantsa, who both may be called on for extended minutes to limit second-chance opportunities.
With both teams unbeaten, the matchup offers BYU a chance to validate its ranking and gives UConn its first major test of the season.
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