The stage is set for a high-stakes Big East clash as the fourth-ranked UConn Huskies prepare to host the DePaul Blue Demons at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. EST, and fans can catch all the action live on TNT or via streaming services like DIRECTV, Sling TV, and HBO Max. With both teams riding notable streaks and recent record-breaking performances, anticipation is sky-high for this midday matchup.
UConn enters the contest with an impressive 15-1 overall record, boasting a flawless 5-0 mark in Big East play. The Huskies are currently enjoying an 11-game winning streak, their best start in conference play since the storied 2001-02 season—a campaign that featured the likes of Caron Butler and Emeka Okafor. That year, UConn swept the Big East regular season and tournament titles, setting a standard this year’s squad is eager to emulate.
The Huskies’ latest triumph came in spectacular fashion on January 7, when they stormed back from a 13-point second-half deficit to topple Providence 103-98 in overtime. That victory not only extended UConn’s win streak but also etched several new entries into the program’s record books. For the first time ever, four Huskies scored at least 20 points in a single game: Braylon Mullins led the way with 24 points—including eight in overtime—while Silas Demary Jr. delivered a stat-stuffing 23 points, 15 assists, and five steals. Alex Karaban added 23 points, and Tarris Reed Jr. chipped in 20, 16 of which came after halftime.
Demary Jr.’s performance was nothing short of historic. His 15 assists were the third-most in a single game in UConn history, and according to Stathead’s Katie Sharp, he is the only Division I player in the last 15 seasons to post at least 23 points, 15 assists, and five steals in a game. "Demary Jr. had a monster day for the Huskies," University of Connecticut Athletics reported, highlighting his game-sealing bucket with just 10.7 seconds left in overtime. Mullins, meanwhile, became the first UConn freshman since Jerome Dyson to hit six three-pointers in a game, putting him in elite company alongside Dyson and Khalid El-Amin, who holds the freshman record with seven.
The Huskies also shattered their single-game record for made three-pointers, connecting on 18 shots from beyond the arc. The previous record of 17 had stood since January 2024. As a team, UConn’s offensive firepower has been relentless, but their schedule has left little room for recovery. Saturday’s contest marks their third game in just seven days, a scheduling quirk that hasn’t gone unnoticed by head coach Dan Hurley. "We play another team that played the day before we played," Hurley remarked after the Providence win. "I think that’s, like, the sixth time now that we’re playing a team that’s had an extra day of rest before we play." Saturday will be the fourth such instance in Big East play this season.
On the other side, DePaul arrives in Hartford with a 10-6 overall record and a 2-3 mark in conference action. The Blue Demons are riding a wave of momentum, having secured back-to-back Big East victories for the first time since 2022. Their recent 56-50 win over Georgetown was particularly noteworthy for its defensive dominance—DePaul held the Hoyas to just one made field goal in the second half, tying an NCAA record. Brandon Maclin came off the bench to lead the way with 13 points and 11 rebounds in that contest.
DePaul’s defense has been a bright spot all season, now ranking among the top 50 nationally in defensive efficiency and holding opponents to just 40.1% shooting inside the arc during conference play. In their win over Xavier, six different Blue Demons scored in double figures, a feat the program hadn’t accomplished in a Big East game since 2008. Offensively, CJ Gunn leads the team with 13.7 points per game, while Layden Blocker and N.J. Benson also average double figures. Benson, in particular, anchors the interior with 7.1 rebounds per contest.
Despite their defensive prowess, DePaul’s offense has struggled at times, ranking 318th nationally in offensive rating over the last five games. Still, head coach Chris Holtmann’s squad has demonstrated resilience, especially against tough early-season competition. Their first three Big East games came against some of the league’s best—St. John’s, UConn, and Villanova—making their recent resurgence all the more impressive.
UConn has dominated the all-time series, winning 21 straight against DePaul and holding a 22-1 advantage overall. The Huskies already topped the Blue Demons earlier this season, earning a 72-54 win at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on December 21. Alex Karaban starred in that contest as well, scoring 21 points on efficient shooting, while Tarris Reed Jr. notched a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Saturday’s game isn’t just about the battle on the court. It’s also Jersey Day at PeoplesBank Arena, with fans encouraged to don their favorite UConn jerseys or those of NBA Huskies alumni. The energy in Hartford is expected to be electric as the Huskies look to extend their win streak to 12 and preserve their perfect conference record.
Looking ahead, UConn faces another quick turnaround, traveling to Newark to take on Seton Hall on January 13. But first, the Huskies must contend with a DePaul team that’s "brutal to play against," as Hurley described. While UConn’s offense has been dazzling, they’ll need to contend with DePaul’s stifling interior defense, which allows just 18.9 three-point attempts per game—the 22nd-lowest in the country. That could force the Huskies to adjust after their record-setting performance from deep.
Solo Ball, who scored 10 points against Providence, continues to lead the Huskies with an average of 15.3 points per game this season. Reed Jr. adds 14.5 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds, while Karaban contributes 13.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest. Demary Jr. leads the Big East with 6.3 assists per game, and Mullins has ramped up production since returning from injury, now averaging 11.3 points across 10 games.
For DePaul, the challenge is clear: find enough offense to match their defensive intensity and slow down a UConn squad that’s been firing on all cylinders. With both teams coming off emotional victories and the Huskies facing another quick turnaround, Saturday’s matchup promises drama and perhaps another chapter in this season’s growing list of surprises.
As tip-off approaches, all eyes are on Hartford to see if UConn can keep its streak alive or if DePaul’s defense will spring another upset. One thing’s certain—Big East basketball rarely disappoints, and this showdown is shaping up to be another classic.
