The No. 4 UConn men’s basketball team is set to host UMass Lowell in an exciting Hartford matchup on Friday night. This game will take place at PeoplesBank Arena, with a scheduled tip-off at 7:30 p.m. The matchup can be viewed on Peacock, featuring commentary from John Fanta and Donny Marshall.
Community Day Celebration
Friday also marks Community Day in Hartford, with UConn Athletics welcoming fans from across Connecticut. This event celebrates the local community and its spirit.
Season Overview
UConn began its 123rd season of men’s basketball by defeating New Haven 79-55 earlier in the week. Alex Karaban led the team with impressive statistics: 19 points and 10 rebounds, marking his third career double-double. Solo Ball contributed significantly with 18 points and five rebounds.
Preseason Rankings and Awards
Ranked fourth in the preseason AP Top 25, UConn boasts five players recognized on the preseason watch lists for the Naismith awards:
- Silas Demary Jr. – Cousy Award
- Solo Ball – West Award
- Braylon Mullins – Erving Award
- Alex Karaban – Malone Award
- Tarris Reed Jr. – Abdul-Jabbar Award
Additionally, Ball and Karaban were recently named to the preseason watch list for the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Player of the Year Award.
Historical Context: UConn vs. UMass Lowell
Friday will mark the third meeting between UConn and UMass Lowell. The teams first clashed on December 20, 2015, resulting in an 88-79 victory for UConn, with Rodney Purvis scoring 28 points. Their most recent encounter occurred on November 27, 2018, where UConn secured a 97-75 win, featuring strong performances from Christian Vital and Jalen Adams.
UMass Lowell Season Start
UMass Lowell also opened its season successfully, defeating Rivier 107-55. Austin Green starred for the River Hawks, registering 21 points and 13 rebounds. The team shot an impressive 60% from the field and scored 60 points in the paint.
Looking Ahead
The Huskies will continue their season with a home game against Columbia on November 10, completing a three-game homestand.
