UConn Freshman Braylon Mullins Faces Indiana Homecoming as UConn Visits Butler

Mullins, a standout freshman from Greenfield, Indiana, will be greeted by family and friends as well as some negative fans when UConn takes on Butler.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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When UConn freshman Braylon Mullins takes the floor at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Wednesday, he'll be playing in front of dozens of family members and friends who have watched him play high school and AAU basketball in Indiana. However, the native son who spurned local schools like Indiana, Purdue, and Butler to play for UConn may also face some negative reactions from the home crowd, as basketball fans in the Hoosier State don't always take kindly to local talents leaving the state.

Why it matters

Mullins is having a terrific freshman season for UConn, averaging 11.7 points per game and shooting 38% from 3-point range. He's a leading candidate for the Big East Freshman of the Year award, but his decision to leave Indiana for UConn has drawn some backlash from fans in his home state.

The details

Mullins has missed five games this season due to ankle and knee injuries suffered in preseason practice, which has stunted his development a bit. His father, Josh Mullins, a former Division I player at IUPUI, has been frustrated at times with how Braylon has been utilized by the UConn coaching staff. However, the Mullins family is focused on finishing the season strong and potentially making a run at a national championship, with the Final Four being held in Indianapolis this year.

  • Braylon Mullins will take the floor at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
  • Braylon Mullins suffered ankle and knee injuries in preseason practice.

The players

Braylon Mullins

A standout freshman guard for the UConn men's basketball team, hailing from Greenfield, Indiana.

Josh Mullins

Braylon's father, a former Division I player at IUPUI who has coached Braylon in high school and is now a school resource officer.

UConn

The men's basketball team that Braylon Mullins plays for, a perennial NCAA Tournament contender.

Butler

The opponent UConn will be facing on Wednesday, a Big East rival located in Indianapolis.

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What they’re saying

“You're always going to have negative fans who are pissed-off he didn't go there. It was bad early, but not so bad now. I guess they're trying to worry about their team now. When Braylon has a good game, you'll hear about it. When we lost the other night (to St. John's), we heard a lot of 'You should come to IU!' It's like, we're 22-2 guys, be quiet.”

— Josh Mullins, Braylon's father (CT Insider)

“FIND HIM GOD*****”

— Josh Mullins, Braylon's father (Twitter)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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