UConn has already beat Michigan State once this season. How can they do it again?

Oct 28, 2025; Hartford, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) drives to the basket against Michigan State Spartans center Carson Cooper (15) during the first half at PeoplesBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images | Mark Smith-Imagn Images UConn men’s basketball and Michigan State have faced off eight previous times officially in a series that dates back to 1989. The matchups have taken place literally all over the globe — from a heartbreaking 2009 Final Four UConn loss in Detroit to a Huskies win in Maui in 2010 to another UConn win at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany in 2012 that quickly took the vibes of a lost Huskies season banned from tournament play from hopeless to hopeful.

Another chapter will be written in Washington D. C. Friday night, as the 3-seed Spartans take on 2-seed UConn in the East Region final with an Elite Eight spot on the line.

But prior to the ninth meeting these two schools, the Huskies and MSU got an early look at one another in October in an exhibition matchup. UConn won that game 76-69 in Hartford, and the Huskies will head to East Lansing next preseason to return the favor. In that win, Tarris Reed Jr.

and Braylon Mullins did not play for UConn as they recovered from preseason injuries. Alex Karaban and Solo Ball each had a game-high 18 points, while Jayden Ross was the only other Husky in double figures with 13 points. Eric Reibe held his own against a solid Sparty frontcourt of Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper, posting five points and seven boards in 22 minutes.