No. 4 Connecticut defeated reigning champion Michigan 85-77 at TD Garden in Boston on Friday night, marking only the second time in 17 seasons that the previous season's men's national title game participants have met in the following season's opening week. The matchup was the earliest such rematch since Duke and UConn played at Madison Square Garden in November 1999.
The game featured 59 free throws on 48 fouls and lasted nearly two and a half hours. Michigan, now coached by Mike Boynton after Dusty May left for the Dallas Mavericks, was led by sophomore Trey McKenney with 22 points, all in the second half. The loss dropped Michigan to 1-1 for the first time since the 2000-01 season, and it was their first ranked opponent this early since 1993. Boynton said the team is trying to establish its own legacy rather than defend a championship.
UConn shot 41.8% from the field (23-of-55) and 40.9% from three-point range (9-of-22), while sinking 30 of 36 free throws. Michigan went 7-for-28 from beyond the arc. The Huskies' backcourt of Silas Demary Jr. and Braylon Mullins combined for 44 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Demary, who played at 50% effectiveness in the title game due to a severely sprained ankle, finished with 12 assists and zero turnovers through two games. Mullins led all scorers with 23 points. Freshman Colben Landrew added eight rebounds in 22 minutes, showing physicality that impressed coach Dan Hurley.
Hurley called the win a "confidence builder" for a nonconference slate that includes Ohio State, Arizona and Duke later this month. UConn has now won 10 straight regular-season neutral-site games against ranked opponents. Veteran guard Solo Ball, who was expected to miss the season with a broken wrist, participated in warmups and could return within a month.
