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Butler Today
By the People, for the People
No. 5 UConn Beats Villanova After Loss
Huskies bounce back from upset defeat with dominant second half performance.
Published on Feb. 22, 2026
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The No. 5 ranked UConn Huskies defeated the Villanova Wildcats 73-63 on Saturday, rebounding from a previous upset loss earlier in the week. Alex Karaban scored 12 points and Tarris Reed Jr. added 11 as UConn used a strong second half to pull away from Villanova, who had won six straight games coming into the matchup.
Why it matters
The win helps UConn, the 2023 and 2024 national champions, maintain their position as a top contender for a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Villanova, meanwhile, is still in good position to end a three-year NCAA Tournament drought under first-year coach Kevin Willard.
The details
The game was tight at halftime, with UConn leading by just two points. But the Huskies pulled away in the second half, going on a 13-2 run early in the period and eventually building a lead as large as 21 points. Villanova struggled from 3-point range, hitting just 6 of 24 attempts.
- The teams previously met on January 24, with UConn winning 75-67 in overtime.
- This was the second meeting between the teams this season.
The players
Alex Karaban
A UConn player who scored 12 points in the win.
Tarris Reed Jr.
A UConn player who scored 11 points in the win.
Tyler Perkins
A Villanova player who scored 15 points in the loss.
Matt Hodge
A Villanova player who scored 13 points in the loss.
Kevin Willard
The first-year head coach of the Villanova Wildcats.
What’s next
UConn will host St. John's on Wednesday, while Villanova will host Butler on the same day.
The takeaway
This game showcased UConn's ability to bounce back from a tough loss, while also highlighting Villanova's continued struggles to return to the NCAA Tournament after a three-year drought. The Huskies remain a top contender for a high seed in the Big Dance.
