UConn and Michigan State are facing off again on Tuesday, but the big question everyone should be asking is about Braylon Mullins’ status. This isn’t just another preseason tune-up, especially with Mullins’ availability still up in the air after he missed UConn’s exhibition opener against Syracuse with an undisclosed injury. Coach Dan Hurley has stayed mum, not confirming if Mullins will even be on the floor.
The Sweet 16 Rematch That’s Way More Than Just an Exhibition
Forget your typical preseason fluff, this game has some serious history. These two giants are meeting in East Lansing, and it’s a battle that’s got more spice than your average scrimmage. Last season, UConn took down the Spartans 76-69 in *their* exhibition game, and then did it again with a 67-63 win in the Sweet 16 back in March. Talk about a rivalry getting cooked up! Now, the Huskies are rolling in at No. 4 in the preseason AP poll, with Michigan State right behind them at No. 6. This exhibition gives both squads a crucial early read on how their rosters stack up against a top-tier opponent. Michigan State, especially, is bringing back five of their top eight scorers from last season, with guard Jeremy Fears Jr. leading the charge. UConn got a peek at their new group against Syracuse, but it wasn’t the full picture without Mullins.
Braylon Mullins’ Absence: What It Means For UConn’s Early Look
The game is at Michigan State’s Breslin Center, so you know the Spartans are going to have that home-court energy, even if the scoreboard won’t count in the regular season standings. But honestly, the real drama here is Mullins. His absence doesn’t suddenly make this game meaningless. It just makes it a huge test for UConn’s depth and early-season strategy. There’s no confirmed diagnosis or timetable on his injury, but if one of their key guards is out again, Hurley and the Huskies have to figure out their options against a ranked opponent. This is a chance to truly test different lineups before the games actually start mattering.
This Tuesday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. Eastern. Sure, the scoreboard won’t settle anything in October, and it’s not a regular-season game. But watching those lineup decisions, especially around Mullins’ potential absence? That’s what’s going to tell us a lot about where these teams stand. Keep an eye on the guard rotation for UConn, because that’s where the real story is.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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