UConn Men’s Basketball Falls to No. 4 Arizona in Heartbreaker

UPDATE: In a nail-biting finish, the UConn men’s basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 71-67 loss to No. 4 Arizona on November 19, 2025, at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs. This defeat serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead as the Huskies navigate a demanding season.

UConn’s head coach, Dan Hurley, faced a barrage of questions about the game, but maintained a light-hearted demeanor despite the disappointment. “Sometimes around 2 a.m., 3, 4:30 a.m., I’m going to wake up and think it was just a nightmare,” Hurley remarked, highlighting the emotional stakes of the game. “Our people have to get guys healthy and on the court so we can be the team we’re all high on. It’s just that [Wednesday] sucked.”

The atmosphere in the arena was electric, with over 10,000 fans in attendance, eager to support their team. The loss, however, left many feeling as though it was a missed opportunity, especially considering UConn’s recent championship wins in 2023 and 2024. Hurley emphasized the need for resilience, stating, “Brutal loss. Just because we fought so hard to get a lead down the stretch… this one we could have stolen.”

Without star center Tarris Reed Jr., who was sidelined due to a high ankle sprain, UConn faced an uphill battle against the formidable Wildcats. Freshman Eric Reibe was tasked with challenging Arizona’s towering 7-foot-2 center, Motiejus Krivas, which proved to be a daunting task.

The numbers were telling: Arizona dominated the boards with 43 rebounds compared to UConn’s 23, and outscored the Huskies in the paint, 43-24. UConn struggled with perimeter shooting, hitting only 8 of 25 three-pointers and missing half of their 18 free throws. Depth, considered a strength for UConn, was lacking as nonstarters contributed just 7 points.

Despite these challenges, UConn staged a remarkable comeback, tying the game at 60 with just under four minutes remaining. Yet, in the final moments, a missed shot by Reibe, who was fouled but failed to convert, sealed the fate of the Huskies in this critical showdown.

Coach Hurley is calling for a renewed sense of urgency in preparation for their next game against Bryant on Sunday night. “We’re becoming the ankle sprain capital of the world and the muscle pull capital of the world,” he quipped, alluding to the injury woes that have plagued the team.

The road ahead remains daunting, with upcoming matchups against No. 24 Kansas, No. 8 Illinois, No. 10 Florida, and a 4-1 Texas team. As the season unfolds, UConn aims to keep their dreams of a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament alive.

While the loss to Arizona stings, the resilience shown by the Huskies, particularly from young talents like Reibe, suggests that brighter days may lie ahead. The heart and spirit displayed in this matchup could be a sign of UConn’s potential as they move forward, once fully healthy.