Alex Karaban and the Connecticut Huskies have dominated their competition this year, going 30-5 in the regular season, including 17-3 in conference play. After losing to the St. John’s Red Storm 72-52 in the Big East Tournament championship game on March 14th, Connecticut was granted the No. 2 seed in the East region of the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies beat the No. 15 seed Furman Paladins 82-71 on Saturday before defeating the No. 7 seed UCLA Bruins 73-57 on Sunday to make the Sweet Sixteen.
UConn is led by a diversity of scorers, with five players averaging 10 points per game or more. Senior center Tarris Reed Jr. has been a beast on the boards for the Huskies, leading the team in rebounds with 8.9 per game. The 6-foot-11 center also leads the team in blocks per game with 2.0 and points per game at 14.2. Junior guard Silas Demary Jr. leads the team in assists per game at 6.1 and steals per game at 1.7.
One of the most steady leaders this season for UConn has been Karaban. The senior forward is a noted sharpshooter, averaging 39% from behind the arc on almost five attempts per game. He leads the team in minutes per game at 33.9, the only player coach Dan Hurley trusted to average over 30 minutes in a contest.
Karaban arrived in Storrs as a top 100 recruit out of the 2021 class. The Bradenton, Florida native has spent his entire career with the Huskies and was a part of the back-to-back National Championship teams in 2023 and 2024. The experience has given the college veteran ample opportunity for growth, and he has delivered.
Growth is not the only thing the tournament experience has brought Karaban. After the win over the Bruins, the senior forward broke the record for most NCAA Tournament wins as a starter since 2000. He is now alone at the top with 15 wins, passing the former North Carolina Tar Heel legend Tyler Hansbrough. The list is as follows:
- Alex Karaban – Connecticut Huskies – 15 wins
- Tyler Hansbrough – North Carolina Tar Heels – 14 wins
- Chris Duhon – Duke Blue Devils – 14 wins
- Kennedy Meeks – North Carolina Tar Heel – 14 wins
- 8 players tied – 13 wins
“Alex Karaban = WINNER” CBS Sports posted on Instagram.
UConn will play the No. 3 seed Michigan State Spartans on Friday at 9:45 p.m. ET. at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.