Braylon Mullins and Silas Demary Jr. shot a combined 5-of-21 from the field in UConn's loss to Michigan in the national championship game last season. The backcourt duo didn't let that happen twice in a rematch against the Wolverines.

Mullins and Demary scored a combined 44 points — 23 from Mullins, 21 from Demary — in the No. 5 Huskies' 85-77 win over No. 20 Michigan on Friday, Nov. 6 in Boston, accounting for over half of the team's points. The duo combined for five made 3-pointers and three steals in the win.

Both starting guards from UConn's run to the national championship game last season opted to return in 2026, giving coach Dan Hurley one of the best returning backcourts in college basketball. Mullins turned down the NBA draft after his true freshman season to be the Huskies' go-to scorer, despite being projected as a first-round pick.

The former five-star recruit has certainly looked the part through two games this season, appearing to have made a massive jump in his second year with the program. He scored 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting in UConn's 86-46 season-opening win over Gardner-Webb before going for 23 points against the Wolverines.

Demary is also taking an uptick in responsibility this season, finishing the game 7-of-17 shooting with seven rebounds and four assists. UConn's lead guard in 2025-26 was an elite defender and facilitator last season but is stepping up as a shot creator as a fourth-year player.

New-look Michigan isn't quite the same team it was last year after losing three lottery picks in the NBA draft — Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara — and coach Dusty May, who left for the head coaching gig with the Dallas Mavericks before assistant coach Mike Boynton was elevated to replace him. Michigan still reloaded with top-tier transfers and returning guards Roddy Gayle Jr. and Trey McKenney, who combined for 40 points of their own against the Huskies.

McKenney was hot in the second half after missing his first seven shots in the game, scoring 22 points. Elliot Cadeau, who was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player last season, wasn't as lucky, scoring eight points on 3-of-11 shooting.

Guard play was ultimately the difference in UConn's statement win over Michigan, with Mullins and Demary set to lead the top-tier national title contenders this season. Surrounding the backcourt duo is a pair of transfers — Na'jai Hines and Nik Khamenia — along with returning contributor Jayden Ross.

Hurley and the Huskies are certainly going to lean on Mullins and Demary this season, and for good reason, especially after their early season performances against the Wolverines.