BYU center Keba Keita was ruled out for the remainder of Saturday night’s top-10 matchup against No. 3 UConn after suffering a first-half injury, according to a report by ESPN.
Keita exited a little past the midway point in the first half. He colliding with Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. While chasing a loose ball. The 6-foot-9 junior immediately grabbed his head and shoulder area and needed assistance to leave the court before being taken to the locker room.
Keita has been a force for No. 7 BYU since transferring from Utah in 2024. He has started all but one game with the Cougars and emerging as their top defender. He helped anchor the Cougars’ tournament run last year and the season-opening win over Villanova with eight points, seven rebounds and three blocks. He entered Saturday's matchup in Boston averaging 6.7 points and 6.3 rebounds.
Keita's absence was immediately felt. BYU struggled to contain UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr., who scored 11 first-half points and added two early baskets in the second half as the Huskies continued attacking the paint without Keita there as a key shot blocker.
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