At Final Four, Alex Karaban is UConn's 'old dog that just won't die' Alex Karaban, a 23-year-old forward for the UConn Huskies, has become a symbol of resilience and determination as the team advances to the Final Four. Known as the "old dog that just won’t die," Karaban’s nickname reflects his enduring presence on the court and his refusal to retire despite his age and the challenges of competing at the highest level. The term, borrowed from a popular idiom, has been embraced by teammates and coaches as a way to highlight his unyielding spirit and leadership. Karaban’s journey with UConn has been marked by consistency and excellence. A two-time team captain, he has been a cornerstone of the Huskies’ success, contributing significantly to their pursuit of a third national championship. This achievement would mark a historic milestone, as no player has accomplished this feat in over 50 years. The last team to secure three titles was the 1971-73 UCLA squad led by Larry Farmer and Larry Hollyfield. Now, Karaban is two victories away from joining that exclusive group, a goal that has become the focus of his final college season. The nickname “old dog” has become a recurring theme in conversations about Karaban. UConn center Tarris Reed Jr. humorously compared him to a dog that “just wouldn’t die,” a metaphor that resonated with teammates and fans. Karaban himself found the label amusing but acknowledged its relevance. “An old dog? Why an old dog,” he quipped when asked by a teammate, before laughing at the comparison. His coach, Dan Hurley, added a lighthearted twist, calling Karaban “the best babysitter” in the program, a title that underscores his role as a mentor and leader for younger players. Karaban’s impact on the team extends beyond his on-court performance.#dan_hurley #alex_karaban #uconn_huskies #tarris_reed_jr #silas_demary_jr
The 2026 NCAA Tournament Perfect Bracket Tracker The first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament concluded early Saturday morning, leaving 224 perfect brackets remaining across major online games. Starting with over 36 million brackets, the number has been reduced due to several close calls and near-upsets. While there were three upsets on the first day, none occurred on the second day, though several games significantly impacted the number of perfect brackets left. As the tournament moved into the second round, the number of remaining perfect brackets was reduced to 224. Key games that contributed to this reduction included the matchup between No. 2 UConn and No. 15 Furman, where UConn's Tarris Reed Jr. had a standout performance with 31 points and 27 rebounds. Reed's efforts helped UConn secure a 82-71 victory, advancing to face No. 7 UCLA in the second round. Another significant game was between No. 7 Miami and No. 10 Missouri, where Miami won 80-66. Despite a close game, Miami's senior forward Malik Reneau led the way with 24 points, securing their place in the second round against No. 2 Purdue. No. 4 Kansas defeated No. 13 Cal Baptist 68-60, with freshman Darryn Peterson leading the way with 28 points. Although Cal Baptist mounted a strong comeback, Kansas's dominance in rebounding and shooting secured their advancement to face No. 5 St. John's. No. 1 Florida dominated No. 16 Prairie View A&M with a 114-55 victory, marking the largest 1-over-16 blowout in tournament history. Florida's performance was highlighted by their shooting efficiency and rebounding, with the game being a stark contrast to the previous year's 58-point win. The number of remaining perfect brackets was further reduced to 494 after No. 7 UCLA defeated No. 10 UCF 75-71.#ucla #uconn #ncaa_tournament #furman #tarris_reed_jr
