The Associated Press No. 3 Connecticut Huskies aced their final tune-up before heading into a pivotal early-season stretch. On Monday, the Huskies (3-0) blew out Columbia (1-1), 89-62, their third 20-point of the season after previously handling New Haven (1-3) and UMass Lowell (1-2). Connecticut has handed its business against inferior competition, and we’ll soon discover just how formidable it can be this season after a down 2024-25. Over its next eight games, the Huskies play six power conference opponents, including five currently ranked in the top 25. On Saturday, Connecticut plays No. 7 BYU (2-0) in the Hall of Fame Series at TD Garden in Boston, followed on Wednesday, Nov. 19 with a home game against No. 5 Arizona (2-0). Connecticut also plays No. 14 Illinois (2-0), No. 25 Kansas (1-1) and defending-champion No. 10 Florida (1-1) during the span, all three neutral site or true road games. Last season, the Huskies went 24-11 and fell in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament (to Florida), a disappoint
