Just over a year removed from one of the more remarkable runs in NCAA Tournament history, the UConn men’s basketball program is reportedly finalizing an agreement for a rematch with Illinois in November.
UConn closed the first half of the 2024 Elite Eight matchup with the Illini on a 5-0 scoring run and rallied for 25 straight points out of the break, completely taking over Boston’s TD Garden with a 30-0 sprint, en route to a 77-52 win. This time they’ll meet at Madison Square Garden, according to a report from College Hoops Today’s Jon Rothstein on Monday.
Rothstein reported that the game will take place on Black Friday, Nov. 28, adding yet another high-major opponent to the monster nonconference schedule Dan Hurley and staff are putting together.
UConn has already announced games against Arizona (Nov. 19) and Texas (Dec. 12) in Connecticut, and will make it back to Boston for the first time since punching that Final Four ticket when it meets BYU and top prospect AJ Dybantsa on Nov. 15. The Huskies will reportedly return to Madison Square Garden on Dec. 9 for a rematch against reigning national champion Florida in the Jimmy V Classic.
Illinois was ranked No. 16 in ESPN’s latest way-too-early top 25, which saw the Huskies move down from No. 2 to No. 4 following the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline. Florida (No. 2), BYU (No. 6) and Arizona (No. 13) were also ranked in the top 15 and Texas was listed among the “next in line.” Two other Big East teams were in the early rankings, with St. John’s at No. 5 and Creighton at No. 22.
Brad Underwood’s incoming class ranks No. 45 in the nation, according to 247Sports. The Illini are set to bring in a pair of four-star freshman guards, a pair of international recruits and two talented transfers, Andrej Stojakovic from Cal and Zvonimir Ivisic from Arkansas.
UConn holds a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series against Illinois with its only loss coming during the 1938-39 season.
UConn staffer Mat Johnson takes assistant gig at Princeton
Mat Johnson wore many hats during his six-year stint on the Huskies’ coaching staff. UConn’s video and scouting coordinator since 2022, Johnson spent most of his time breaking down and evaluating film of opponents and helping create gameplans. He also picked up some responsibility in helping keep track of Hurley’s superstitions, advising him at times on what to wear to bring the Huskies good energy – like the St. Patrick’s Day-themed hat he’s worn the last few years on Selection Sunday.
A Columbus, New Jersey, native, Johnson will move closer to home in his new role as an assistant coach on Mitch Henderson‘s staff at Princeton.
“Mat has done great things for us the last few years and played an important role in our championship success,” Hurley said in a release. “He is a hard worker and smart basketball mind who can connect with players at a high level. Mat will do a tremendous job at Princeton as he takes the next step in what will be a long and successful career in coaching.”
What Hurley said about latest incoming transfers
The UConn staff and general manager Tom Moore have been working hard to fill out the Huskies’ roster, which is in good shape to return as a contender next season. With a solid 10-man rotation in place, UConn signed three depth pieces – Dwayne Koroma, Alec Millender and Jacob Ross – to bring its roster to 13.
“The staff has done a tremendous job in rounding out our incoming class,” Hurley said in a release. “The combination of potential, experience, talent and skill will be a tremendous help to our program as we pursue our championship goals.”
Koroma, a native of Berlin, Germany, who transferred in from Le Moyne, brings plenty of experience after four seasons of college basketball, which began at Iona under coach Rick Pitino. The 6-foot-8 forward will have one year of eligibility remaining.
“Dwayne is a physical, talented big who can play a variety of roles for us,” Hurley said. “His game experience is extremely valuable and he is coming off his best season. Dwayne is an efficient scorer and gets on the glass, which is crucial to our success.”
Millender, a guard transferring from IU Indy after spending his first four years at Wayne State, also brings a plethora of experience and comes to the Huskies with one year of eligibility remaining.
“Alec is a guard that has played in a ton of games and has consistently leveled up. He can score, distribute and has turned into an excellent outside shooter,” Hurley said. “His toughness and game experience will fit in well with our program and we’re excited about what he can bring.”
Jacob Ross, brother of junior Jayden Ross, became the fourth high school commit in UConn’s fourth-ranked incoming class. The Ross brothers played together in high school at Long Island Lutheran before Jacob moved on to SoCal Academy in Castaic, California, last season
“Jacob Ross obviously comes from a great family we know well and will fit in seamlessly with our culture,” Hurley said. “He is a gifted athlete who has played on winning teams. We’re excited about his development and can’t wait to get him to campus.”
Originally Published: June 2, 2025 at 12:52 PM EDT
