UConn HC Dan Hurley unfurls sad reality behind NIL deals and college transfer portals: "Cultures aren't as strong"
Despite leading two different core groups to back-to-back championships, Dan Hurley's UConn team wobbled early this season. The Huskies lost three consecutive games away from home in the Maui Invitational Tournament. Even though Hurley criticized the officiating in those losses, it has relegated the defending champions to 25th spot on the AP poll.
Ahead of the game against the Texas Longhorns, Hurley was asked about the changing competitive landscape of road games. The coach shed light on the impact of NIL and the transfer portal, citing how these factors hinder programs from nurturing and growing a set of players.
"I just think with everything, the amount of just how transactional teams are are now in terms of how they're put together across the board, that's just the nature of NIL and the nature of the portal," Hurley said, speaking to UConn Daily.
"Teams aren't as cohesive, cultures aren't as strong, cohesion is not as strong, players are playing on a team with totally new players and it's really, really hard to win on the road. Road wins are a sign of like just a really strong, connected team."
Hurley added that due to player movement, it has become more challenging for teams to develop and mature.
"So, I think that it's the nature of college basketball in this new era where it's going to take teams a little bit longer to mature and develop."
Watch Dan Hurley's remarks below starting at the 1:50 mark:
The three consecutive losses in November marked the worst stretch in Hurley's coaching career since he led UConn to its first NCAA title in 2023. Hurley's UConn has now experienced a three-game losing streak five times.
However, the 2024 Maui Invitational marked Hurley's worst road stretch since taking over the Huskies in 2018.
Dan Hurley claims Alex Karaban's presence will directly impact UConn's success
Alex Karaban is in his third year of college basketball. The only players who have been with Dan Hurley for his first two title runs are seniors Samson Johnson and Hassan Diarra. However, Karaban has been the most impactful asset of the three veterans.
Hurley believes Alex Karaban's presence can translate into winning notable games and pacing the development of Solo Ball and Liam McNeeley.
"Alex has gotta lead the team, he's got to take pressure off of Liam, he's got to take pressure off of Solo," Hurley said.
"He's got to take pressure off of some of these other guys and his production, his communication, his level of play, that should all have a positive effect because we're a lot younger." (4:00)
Karaban declared for the NBA draft after his sophomore year but withdrew early to mount a potential three-peat run with Dan Hurley. He is averaging a career-best 15.9 points on 46.8% 3-point shooting, 3.3 assists and 2.0 blocks in his junior year.
He was ruled out of UConn's game against Baylor Bears on Wednesday due to a head injury but is expected to return against Texas on Sunday.