In Storrs, Connecticut, as the UConn Huskies embark on their pursuit of a third consecutive national championship, head coach Dan Hurley is keenly aware of past pitfalls and intends not to repeat previous mistakes. Not long ago, Hurley found himself reflecting on UConn’s last NCAA tournament exit, which followed a Big East tournament semifinal loss. The team had to balance analyzing their errors with the need to move forward, but it led to an early exit against New Mexico in the 2022 NCAA opener. However, in the following season, the Huskies managed to string together 12 consecutive victories in the NCAA Tournament, positioning themselves for a historic three-peat not seen since UCLA’s early 1970s dynasty. Hurley is confident they have moved on from this year’s Big East semifinal loss to Creighton.
Determined not to dwell like in 2022, Hurley stated, “I am not going to make the same mistake I did in ’22 when I let it linger too long. We didn’t do that.” UConn is set to face Oklahoma in the tournament opener this Friday night in Raleigh, North Carolina. The turbulent season included no Big East titles and a challenging three-game skid at the Maui Invitational. Starting at No. 3 in the preseason AP Top 25, UConn eventually dropped from the rankings, highlighting the struggle of maintaining success with only one returning starter from last year’s lineup. Despite the ups and downs, the team’s approach remained steadfast.
Hurley acknowledged that talks of winning a third straight national championship arose early in the season. Still, as the season progressed, such discussions ceased. His focus has shifted to ensuring the team’s best performance against Oklahoma. The possibility of meeting Florida in the second round invites memories of the Gators’ consecutive title wins in 2006-07, but for now, UConn’s sights are firmly set on Oklahoma. UConn forward Alex Karaban, the lone returning starter, expressed a deep commitment to helping the team succeed, emphasizing the importance of playing their best basketball in March.
Alongside Karaban, Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson remain from the last two title-winning teams. The trio recently reflected on their journey after losses to Seton Hall and Creighton, identifying areas for improvement in their aim for another championship win. “We haven’t had the year as a team that we wanted and we lost some games that we wish we could have back,” Karaban revealed. His sentiments highlight the challenges and unity the team is embracing as they navigate the season’s adversity.
Injuries have also played a role in UConn’s season, with star freshman Liam McNeeley missing eight games and Karaban sitting out two others. Diarra battled an ankle injury during several late-season games, but all players affirm their readiness now. Indeed, the spirit within the team is bolstered by strong internal support, as sophomore guard Solo Ball attests to the benefits of having a cohesive locker room environment. This camaraderie was evident during their upset win over Marquette on March 5, where Karaban made a critical 3-pointer in the game’s final moments, helping secure their fifth victory over a ranked team that season.
“This year is different because we are still juggling a rotation and still trying to shore up some major vulnerabilities as a team,” Hurley pointed out. Compared to the previous two seasons, where the focus was on maintaining sharpness and confidence, this year involves seeking depth and consistency. With UConn as a No. 8 seed in the West Region, the history of winning titles from this spot serves as motivation. Nonetheless, neither coaches nor players are content with how the season unfolded so far. “We are a group of people who are together in this,” Hurley emphasized, reinforcing the unity and determination driving the Huskies in their pursuit of another championship.
