UConn Huskies Defeat Furman Paladins in NCAA Tournament First Round

No. 2 seed UConn cruises past No. 15 seed Furman in 2026 March Madness opener

Mar. 15, 2026 at 11:21pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The UConn Huskies, led by center Tarris Reed Jr. and forward Alex Karaban, defeated the Furman Paladins 82-65 in the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Furman, who secured their tournament berth by winning the Southern Conference championship, were unable to pull off another March Madness upset despite strong performances from guards Asa Thomas, Alex Wilkins, and Charles Johnston.

Why it matters

UConn, a perennial NCAA Tournament contender, continues its quest for another national championship, while Furman's Cinderella run falls short after the Paladins previously upset Virginia in the 2023 tournament. The game showcased a clash of styles, with UConn's physical, defensive-minded approach prevailing over Furman's up-tempo, 3-point shooting offense.

The details

UConn's stifling defense held Furman to just 65 points, well below their season average. Reed Jr. and Karaban combined for 25 points and 13 rebounds, while guard Silas Demary Jr. harassed the Paladins' perimeter players all game. Furman's Cooper Bowser, Charles Johnston, and Ben Vander Wal struggled to contain UConn's frontcourt, and the Paladins' 3-point shooting was not enough to overcome the Huskies' size and strength.

  • The game was played on March 20, 2026 as part of the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
  • Furman secured their tournament berth by winning the Southern Conference championship on March 12, 2026.

The players

Tarris Reed Jr.

UConn's starting center, leading the team in scoring and rebounding at 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

Alex Karaban

UConn's starting forward, averaging 12 points per game and providing championship experience after helping the Huskies win titles in 2023 and 2024.

Silas Demary Jr.

UConn's top perimeter defender, averaging 1.7 steals per game and a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.

Cooper Bowser

Furman's starting forward, scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the Southern Conference tournament final.

Alex Wilkins

Furman's standout freshman guard, averaging 17.7 points and 4.7 assists per game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew Furman would be a tough out, but our defense and physicality were the difference today. Tarris and Alex really set the tone for us in the paint.”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Huskies (UConn Athletics)

“We gave it our all, but UConn was just too much for us today. Their size and strength were a big challenge, and we couldn't get our 3-point shots to fall consistently.”

— Alex Wilkins, Freshman Guard, Furman Paladins (Greenville Online)

What’s next

UConn will advance to face the winner of the first-round matchup between No. 7 seed Gonzaga and No. 10 seed UC Irvine in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

UConn's championship pedigree and defensive prowess proved too much for the upstart Furman Paladins, who fell short in their bid to pull off another March Madness upset. The game highlighted the Huskies' ability to grind out wins against teams with contrasting styles, setting them up for a deep tournament run.