The fourth-ranked UConn men’s basketball team is preparing to face Columbia in a Monday night match at Gampel Pavilion. This game is part of the Huskies’ season-opening three-game homestand. Scheduled for 6:30 p.m., the game will be broadcast on FS1, featuring commentary by Dave Sims and Donny Marshall.
UConn vs. Columbia: A Historical Meeting
This matchup marks the 12th meeting between UConn and Columbia, dating back to January 14, 1953. Columbia won the first game and another in 1976. However, UConn has dominated the series, winning nine out of eleven total matches and nine of the last ten contests. The teams have met three times in Connecticut since 2011, with their last encounter occurring in 2017. The last game ended in a thrilling 77-73 overtime victory for the Huskies.
Recent Performances
UConn enters this game following one of its most remarkable performances in program history. In their last outing against UMass Lowell, UConn triumphed with a staggering score of 110-47. Notably, the Huskies established a program record with a 44-3 lead early in the game, taking a 47-point advantage into halftime.
- Tarris Reed Jr. made an impressive season debut, scoring 20 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and blocking four shots in just 17 minutes.
- Seven UConn players finished with double-digit points.
- The team shot 60.9 percent from the field, while UMass Lowell struggled at 21.3 percent shooting.
Columbia’s Season Start
Columbia also enters the game with momentum, having secured a convincing 71-53 victory over New Haven. This match marked the debut for first-year head coach Kevin Hovde. Led by Kenny Noland’s 14 points, the Lions exhibited impressive shooting stats, achieving 55.1 percent from the floor and 50 percent from beyond the arc.
Looking Ahead
After Monday’s encounter, UConn will shift focus to a challenging non-conference schedule, including a trip to Boston. On November 15, they are set to compete against the eighth-ranked BYU in the Hall of Fame Series.
