UConn and Michigan State meet again, with Braylon Mullins’ status still unclear
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UConn and Michigan State meet Tuesday in East Lansing for an exhibition that has more history than a typical preseason tune-up. The Huskies beat the Spartans 76-69 in last season’s exhibition, then won 67-63 in the Sweet 16 in March. Now they face each other again with UConn ranked No. 4 and Michigan State No. 6 in the preseason AP poll.
There is also a meaningful question about the Huskies’ lineup. Braylon Mullins missed UConn’s exhibition opener against Syracuse with an undisclosed injury, and his status for Tuesday had not been confirmed as of Monday. Coach Dan Hurley had not disclosed whether Mullins would be available.
A familiar opponent, but not a regular-season game
The exhibition gives both teams an early look at how their rosters handle a high-level opponent. Michigan State returns five of its top eight scorers from last season and is led by guard Jeremy Fears Jr. UConn’s opening exhibition against Syracuse offered an early look at its new group, but Mullins was absent.
BREAKING: Michigan State is ranked No. 6 to start the season. They will host No. 4 UConn tomorrow in an exhibition game. https://t.co/x8pp3X6uLu
— Michigan State Content (@msucontent) October 19, 2026
The setting matters, too. The game is at Michigan State’s Breslin Center, where the Spartans will get a home-court atmosphere even though the result will not count in the regular-season standings. It tips at 7 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday.
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Mullins’ availability is the detail to watch
Mullins’ absence does not automatically change the meaning of the exhibition, and there is no confirmed diagnosis or timetable in the available update. But a game against a ranked opponent is a useful chance to test lineups before the regular season. If he is unavailable again, UConn will have to evaluate its options without one of its key guards.
The recent history gives this matchup some extra spice, but the early-season value is practical: how do these teams look, and who is ready to play? The scoreboard will not settle anything in October. The lineup decisions could still tell us something.