Basketball season is back with a bang. From UCLA’s win over a top-five opponent in Las Vegas on opening night to a national championship rematch in Boston, the Big Ten is at the center of the college basketball world to start the season, with plenty of exciting matchups on the way.
Wolverines vs. Huskies: Title Game Rematch in Boston
When No. 16 Michigan and No. 4 UConn last stepped off the court together seven months ago, it was the final act of the college basketball season — a tense 69–63 thriller in April that crowned the Wolverines national champions for the second time in program history. Friday night at TD Garden, the 2026–27 campaign brings them right back where they left off. For the first time since 2018 — when Michigan defeated Villanova — the college basketball world gets a national championship rematch in the first week of the season.
The Wolverines have gone through massive changes since that historic night in April, including Mike Boynton Jr. taking over for Dusty May and Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara all being selected in the NBA lottery. Now in Boynton’s first year leading the program, Michigan is relying on returners Eliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney and Roddy Gayle Jr. to lead the way, while newcomers Moustapha Thiam and J.P. Estrella are establishing their presence inside.
They will take the court against the No. 4 Huskies, who return three major contributors from last year’s team in sophomore star Braylon Mullins — who led the team with 20 points in an opening night win — along with Silas Demary Jr. and Jayden Ross. Dan Hurley spent the offseason building around this core, bringing in Nik Khamenia from Duke, Na’Jai Hines from Seton Hall and four-star freshman Colben Landrew as UConn looks to make its fourth Final Four in five seasons.
Friday’s matchup will be a heavyweight battle and a massive test for this new Wolverines squad, who is coming off an opening night win against Oakland. Michigan will need the reigning Final Four Most Outstanding Player Cadeau and McKenney, who hit the dagger to put the Huskies away in April, to recapture the magic that sealed the national title back in April.
If Michigan’s revamped frontcourt can hold its own on the glass and limit UConn’s perimeter assault, the Wolverines have every chance to start 2–0 and prove that the crown still runs through Ann Arbor.
Bruins Tame Wildcats in Season-Opening Vegas Showcase
The biggest win on opening night came courtesy of No. 22 UCLA, who defeated No. 5 Arizona 84-75 in the Las Vegas Hall of Fame Series. The Bruins controlled the pace from the opening tip, keeping the Wildcats a distance away in the teams’ first matchup since last November.
UCLA had contributions up-and-down, led by Trent Perry’s 21 points and five assists; he was joined in double-digits by Eric Dailey (13 points, eight rebounds), Jaylen Petty (12 points and seven rebounds), and Nikola Kusturica (10 points and three blocks). The Bruins had 16 offensive rebounds, and on the other end of the court held the Wildcats to just 37% from the field and 23% from beyond the three-point line.
“The staff did a great job putting this team together,” Cronin said postgame. “They have a lot of character. I've not had a bad day coaching this team, and I know that’s hard for everybody to believe out there.” Hear more from UCLA.
Expect fireworks throughout the next few months. Check out the complete schedule for the weekend, which includes the national championship rematch along with Nebraska heading to Connecticut to face a Big East foe.