UConn Cruises Past Butler for Big East Victory

Huskies bounce back from loss with dominant performance against struggling Bulldogs

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The #6 UConn Huskies bounced back from a tough loss last week with a convincing 79-60 victory over the Butler Bulldogs on Wednesday night. Led by their trio of veteran stars - Alex Karaban, Solo Ball, and Tarris Reed Jr. - the Huskies controlled the game from start to finish, taking advantage of a short-handed Butler squad missing key players.

Why it matters

This win helps UConn maintain its position atop the Big East standings and solidify its case as a top contender for the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Butler continues to struggle, having now lost five straight games and falling further behind in the conference race.

The details

UConn's veteran trio of Karaban, Ball, and Reed Jr. combined for 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists to lead the way. The Huskies also got solid contributions from supporting players like Braylon Mullins and Eric Reibe. Butler was missing freshman Azavier Robinson and had leading scorer Jamie Kaiser listed as questionable, putting them at a significant disadvantage against the deeper and more talented Huskies squad.

  • The teams last met on December 16th, with UConn winning 79-60.
  • This game took place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Alex Karaban

A fifth-year forward for UConn, averaging 13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

Solo Ball

The junior guard who initiates UConn's offense, putting up 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.

Tarris Reed Jr.

The Huskies' standout big man, averaging 14.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest.

Finley Bizjack

One of Butler's top players, forming a lethal duo with Michael Ajayi.

Michael Ajayi

The Big East's leading rebounder, averaging a double-double for the Bulldogs.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to bounce back strong after that tough loss last week. The guys came out focused and executed our game plan to perfection.”

— Dan Hurley, UConn Head Coach (draftkings.com)

“It's tough to compete with a team like UConn when we're missing key pieces. But our guys kept battling and I'm proud of the effort they gave tonight.”

— Thad Matta, Butler Head Coach (draftkings.com)

What’s next

UConn will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. Butler, meanwhile, will try to end its five-game skid when they face another tough Big East opponent this weekend.

The takeaway

This game showcased the depth and talent of the UConn Huskies, who were able to overcome the absence of a key player for Butler and cruise to a comfortable victory. The Huskies' veteran leadership and balanced scoring attack proved too much for the short-handed Bulldogs to handle.