No. 6 UConn, boasting an impressive 22-2 record and 12-1 in the Big East, is set to face the Butler Bulldogs tonight at Hinkle Fieldhouse following a disappointing 81-72 defeat against St. John’s that ended their 18-game winning streak. Despite this setback, the Huskies have historically been a powerhouse against Butler, holding a flawless 12-0 record in their matchups.
As Butler enters the game on a four-game losing streak, they will look to junior guard Finley Bizjack, who has been on fire, averaging over 20 points since the beginning of 2026. Head Coach Danny Hurley has intensified practices for the Huskies to rebound strongly from their recent loss, emphasizing the importance of this game.
Tarris Reed Jr. is expected to lead the Huskies inside, complemented by solid performances from Silas Demary Jr. UConn previously faced Butler on December 16 in Hartford, where they secured a commanding 79-60 victory with Solo Ball contributing 26 points.
Butler’s performance has been shaky lately, with a record of 2-4 in Quadrant 1 games and 1-6 in Quadrant 2. In contrast, UConn stands at 5-2 and 8-0 in those same categories. The Huskies are also highly ranked, sitting at No. 10 in KenPom and No. 8 in the NET, while Butler is ranked No. 12 in KenPom and 73rd in the NET.
Tonight’s game details are as follows:
– Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
– Time: 7:30 PM EST
– Venue: Hinkle Field House, Indianapolis, IN
– Broadcast: TNT, truTV
As for the betting odds via DraftKings, UConn is favored with a moneyline of -750 compared to Butler’s +525. The spread is set at UConn -11.5, with a total at 144.5 points.
Expected starting lineups are:
UConn Huskies:
– G Silas Demary Jr.
– G Solo Ball
– G Braylon Mullins
– F Alex Karaban
– F Tarris Reed Jr.
Butler Bulldogs:
– G Finley Bizjack
– G Evan Haywood
– F Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor
– F Nichael Ajayi
– C Drayton Jones
Injury reports indicate no injuries for UConn, while Butler’s Jamie Kaiser Jr. is questionable, and Azavier Robinson and Jalen Jackson have been ruled out due to undisclosed ailments.
With Butler’s solid 9-4 home record this season and UConn’s impressive 7-1 road performance, fans are poised for an exciting matchup. This game serves not only as a chance for UConn to re-establish its dominance but also for Butler to leverage its home-court advantage and reverse its fortunes in the Big East. The predictions from analytics suggest UConn is likely to cover the spread, creating anticipation for a thrilling night of NCAA basketball.