STORRS, Conn. — On Nov. 19, 2025, No.4 Arizona went to No.3 UConn and left with a 71-67 victory after UConn announced about 90 minutes before tip that starting senior center Tarris Reed Jr. (20.0 points, 9.3 rebounds per game) would not play because of a sprained ankle. The Wildcats executed a physical, paint-first game plan and won the rebounding battle decisively, turning second-chance opportunities into the margin of victory. Arizona’s balance of freshmen and veterans produced a road win that immediately reshaped early-season perceptions of both teams. UConn, a program built on frontcourt strength and consecutive national championships, found itself repeatedly outmuscled inside.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Arizona 71, UConn 67; the Wildcats earned the road upset in Storrs on Nov. 19, 2025.
- Tarris Reed Jr. was ruled out with a sprained ankle roughly 90 minutes before tip; Reed averages 20.0 points and 9.3 rebounds.
- Arizona outrebounded UConn 43-23 and collected 13 offensive rebounds, converting those into 16 second-chance points.
- Koa Peat finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds (5 offensive), 3 assists and 2 blocks; Motiejus Krivas added 9 points and 14 rebounds.
- Eric Reibe, starting in Reed’s place, scored 15 points and hit two second-half 3-pointers for UConn.
- Jaden Bradley led Arizona with 21 points, including a go-ahead layup with 16 seconds remaining.
- Arizona enters the day making about 6.3 3-pointers per game and ranks near the bottom nationally in the share of points from 3-point range, underscoring a paint-first identity.
Background
This matchup arrived early in the season with national implications: UConn entered ranked No.3 as the two-time defending champion and Arizona at No.4 after high-profile nonconference wins. UConn’s recent success has relied heavily on frontcourt depth and physical rim defense, making Tarris Reed Jr. a central figure in their identity. Arizona, by contrast, has constructed a roster that prizes interior size and contact, leaning less on perimeter shooting than many peers.
Both programs carry high expectations into the season. UConn’s Dan Hurley has emphasized toughness and paint control as pillars of championship teams, while Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd has built a rotation featuring freshmen with advanced games alongside experienced contributors. Early-season scheduling amplified the stakes: Arizona had already beaten Florida and UCLA away from home, and UConn sought to defend its top-tier ranking on its home floor.
Main Event
The game’s complexion shifted before the first whistle when UConn announced Reed would not play due to a sprained ankle and the team listed him as game-to-game. Eric Reibe started in his place and produced 15 points, but Arizona immediately attacked the interior. Koa Peat scored on an early layup and the Wildcats prioritized offensive rebounds and rim finishes, establishing physical dominance.
Motiejus Krivas was consistently nudging into the paint and had a strong rebound night, collecting 14 boards overall; he set a season high in first-half rebounds and remained a persistent presence. Arizona repeatedly won one-on-one battles at the rim and finished possessions with second-chance points, converting 13 offensive boards into 16 extra points that UConn struggled to match defensively.
UConn cut the margin several times, but Arizona’s Jaden Bradley repeatedly attacked the basket and drew fouls; his late-game layup with 16 seconds left created a three-point cushion that UConn could not overcome. The final minutes featured contested interior play and a UConn coaching staff that openly criticized teammates for failing to engage consistently in the paint fight.
Analysis & Implications
Arizona’s victory underscores how matchups and availability can alter early-season rankings. Removing a primary rim protector like Reed exposed UConn’s immediate vulnerability to an aggressive frontcourt opponent, and Arizona exploited that with schematic emphasis on offensive rebounds and finishes at the rim. For UConn, the game is a reminder that depth and contingency plans for interior minutes will matter across a long season.
From Arizona’s perspective, the win validates a roster construction that privileges physicality over perimeter volume. The Wildcats’ ability to win the glass by a 20-rebound margin against a championship-caliber frontcourt signals an upward trajectory for their inside players and suggests Arizona can win games without a heavy 3-point profile when the paint is controlled.
League and bracket projections will take notice. ESPN Research noted Arizona joins a rare historical company by posting multiple wins over top-three opponents in its first five games; if subsequent polls favor the Wildcats, the program’s strength of schedule and resume will be substantially enhanced. For UConn, the loss raises questions about consistency against physical lineups and whether short-term absences like Reed’s could translate into longer-term ranking volatility.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Arizona | UConn |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 71 | 67 |
| Total rebounds | 43 | 23 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | n/a |
| Second-chance points | 16 | n/a |
The table highlights the most decisive statistical gap: rebounding. Arizona’s 20-rebound advantage translated directly into extra possessions and 16 second-chance points — a differential that mirrors the four-point final margin. UConn’s point production relied more on outside shooting and timely scoring from Eric Reibe, but the rebounding deficit limited their ability to control tempo.
Reactions & Quotes
Both coaches acknowledged the effect of Reed’s absence and the physical nature of Arizona’s approach. Hurley was blunt in assessing his team’s effort on the glass and the lesson to be learned on film.
We got punked. It’s going to be a bad film session coming out of here. There’s a street fight going on in the paint and men can’t watch fights; you get in the fight.
Dan Hurley, UConn head coach
Hurley’s comments came after his players were repeatedly beaten to loose balls and second chances; he emphasized accountability and a need for a more consistent physical response from his rotation.
With Reed out of the game, we’re not going to say it doesn’t change things. We know it changes things. Our guys found a way to field it and turn two.
Tommy Lloyd, Arizona head coach
Lloyd framed the outcome as validation of Arizona’s roster identity: physical play and rebounding would be the deciding factor regardless of who was available on the other side.
Unconfirmed
- Tarris Reed Jr.’s recovery timeline beyond the team calling him game-to-game has not been independently confirmed by medical staff or a detailed timeline.
- Projected movement in the next AP poll is speculative until ballots are released; suggestions that Arizona will become No.1 remain subject to voters’ decisions.
Bottom Line
Arizona’s interior dominance in Storrs was the single determinant of this game. By winning the glass 43-23 and converting 13 offensive rebounds into 16 second-chance points, the Wildcats neutralized UConn’s usual frontcourt advantages and earned a signature early-season victory. The result elevates Arizona’s standing nationally and offers a tangible blueprint for how the Wildcats can win without relying on perimeter efficiency.
For UConn, the loss is a prompt to examine depth and on-court physicality when a primary big is absent. The Huskies remain a top program with championship continuity, but this game exposes areas — notably defensive rebounding and interior toughness — that will require attention if they are to defend a national title again.