Alex Karaban Explodes for Career High as UConn Punches Sweet 16 Ticket with Win Over UCLA
Alex Karaban delivered the finest scoring performance of his college career on Sunday night, pouring in 27 points to lead the second-seeded Connecticut Huskies past UCLA 73-57 in the NCAA Tournament second round. The victory sends UConn back to the Sweet 16, where they will face third-seeded Michigan State on Friday in Washington, D.C.
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Karaban Takes Center Stage
The fourth-year senior, who has become UConn’s all-time leader in three-point field goals, was virtually unstoppable from beyond the arc. He knocked down four three-pointers, including a dagger during a pivotal stretch that silenced any hopes of a Bruin comeback. His performance drew a roaring ovation from the Huskies-heavy crowd in Philadelphia, which included actor Bill Murray, whose son Luke serves as a UConn assistant coach. Murray himself joined in the celebration, flashing the “6-7” hand gesture during a timeout as his son’s team pulled away.
Karaban’s consistency and loyalty are notable in modern college basketball. In an era defined by the transfer portal and NIL money, he has played all four seasons at UConn and started 146 of 147 career games, a rare feat that has now yielded three Sweet 16 appearances.
A Decisive Run Breaks the Game Open
The Huskies put the game away with a 14-0 scoring run that stretched their lead to 56-44. From that point forward, UCLA was unable to mount a serious challenge. Braylon Mullins contributed 17 points in support, while Tarris Reed Jr. posted a steady double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds, a quieter night after he had registered a staggering 31 points and 27 rebounds in the opening round.
UCLA Could Not Overcome Biloudeau’s Absence
The Bruins, finishing their season at 24-12, were undermined by the continued absence of their leading scorer Tyler Biloudeau. Xavier Booker led the UCLA offense with 13 points, but the team had no effective answer for UConn’s balanced attack or Karaban’s shooting.
Hurley’s Huskies Back on Familiar Ground
Head coach Dan Hurley, who guided UConn to back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, has his program back among the nation’s elite eight despite a modest 2-2 finish to the regular season that included a loss to St. John’s in the Big East Tournament final. Last year’s early exit, a second-round defeat at the hands of eventual champion Florida, appears to have served as fuel.
The Huskies improved to 31-5 on the season and now prepare for a Sweet 16 showdown with Michigan State in the nation’s capital.
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