The poll results are in: Here’s a closer look at No. 5 UConn.
5. UCONN
2025-26 record: 34-6
Outlook for 2026-27: Six points shy of a third national title of the Dan Hurley era last season, the Huskies have established themselves as perennial championship contenders and have the right mix of new and returning talent to back it up.
What we like: The Big East is a guard’s league, and Preseason Player of the Year Silas Demary Jr. is back to run the show alongside Braylon Mullins, who hit the game-winning 3-pointer against Duke in the Elite Eight. Hurley added a “Baby Shaq” at center in Na’Jai Hines after facing him twice when he was a breakout star at Seton Hall.
Trouble ahead: UConn’s record may not be pretty after a difficult nonconference schedule. Following a title-game rematch against Michigan, the Huskies face Arizona on the road, along with Duke, Illinois, Kansas and Virginia.
Top newcomer: The word out of Storrs is that five-star freshman wing Colben Landrew is already showing he can follow in the footsteps of Stephon Castle, Liam McNeeley and Mullins.