UConn Routs Gardner-Webb in Season Opener
Khamenia, now at UConn after leaving Duke, scored 14 points as the Huskies won 86-46.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
UConn defeated Gardner-Webb 86-46 in its season opener on Monday, November 3, 2026. Duke also opened its season that day, beating Army 84-50.
Why it matters
Nik Khamenia transferred to UConn after entering the portal following limited playing time at Duke last season. His debut offers an early look at how the transfer fits the Huskies' rotation.
Khamenia shot 6-for-11 from the field and 2-for-6 from three, adding six rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 26 minutes. Braylon Mullins led UConn with 20 points, while Dame Sarr led Duke with 16.
The players
Nik Khamenia
A guard who transferred from Duke to UConn and scored 14 points in his Huskies debut.
Braylon Mullins
A UConn guard who led the Huskies with 20 points in the season-opening win.
Dame Sarr
A Duke forward who led the Blue Devils with 16 points in their season-opening win over Army.
The details
Khamenia recorded a plus-25 rating and two turnovers in his UConn debut. The Huskies' 40-point margin was matched in scale by Duke's 34-point win over Army the same day.
Timeline
Last season: Khamenia's playing time at Duke was limited before he entered the transfer portal.
Monday, November 3, 2026: UConn and Duke open their seasons.
Wednesday, November 25, 2026: UConn and Duke meet at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Season Trajectory
Khamenia's transfer adds a veteran wing to a UConn roster that opened the season with a lopsided win. Early results in November carry little weight on their own, but the opener sets a baseline for how the Huskies' newcomers fit into their rotation.
The matchup on November 25 gives Connecticut fans an early chance to see Khamenia face his former team. Fantasy managers tracking Mullins and Khamenia can use the opener's usage numbers as an early reference point.
The takeaway
Opening-night box scores rarely settle a rotation, but Khamenia's 26 minutes suggest UConn plans to use him right away. Watching how his minutes change over the next few weeks will show whether that holds.
What happens next
UConn and Duke meet Wednesday, November 25, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Further reading
For more on the Huskies, see Basketball coverage across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
