Will Dan Hurley’s UConn be able to 3-peat? Season outlook for Huskies explored post Big 12-Big East Battle
Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies are aiming for an ambitious three-peat of NCAA championships. However, early season struggles and recent improvements have painted a complex picture of their chances.
UConn entered the season with sky-high expectations, ranked No. 3 in the preseason AP poll. Hurley felt the ranking was a slight against his team, arguing the Huskies deserved the top spot after dominating their way to back-to-back championships.
However, the No. 18 Huskies (7-3) stumbled early, finishing last at the Maui Invitational with losses to Memphis, Colorado and Dayton. The games exposed significant defensive vulnerabilities, with opponents exploiting miscommunications and weaknesses in the low post.
Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies slowly turn the tide for Big 12-Big East Battle
In the weeks following the disaster in Maui, the Huskies began to show signs of recovery. A three-game win streak, capped by a commanding 76-65 Big 12-Big East Battle victory over Texas on Sunday, showed signs of progress. This was UConn’s first true road game of the season, and the Huskies led wire-to-wire, maintaining a double-digit advantage for much of the second half.
So, what has made the difference for the Huskies? Defense. Guards Hassan Diarra and Solo Ball stepped up to stifle Texas’s offensive efforts, while Liam McNeeley provided timely contributions. Although rebounding remains a concern — Texas managed seven offensive boards — this was a marked improvement from earlier performances.
Dan Hurley stuck his chest out in his postgame news conference, taking a subtle shot at the doubters who wrote off the defending champs after their performances in Maui as UConn tumbled to 25th in the rankings.
"Maybe the people with the shovels and the dirt, maybe they were too quick to grab the shovel and throw the dirt on us," Hurley said. "Maybe, we’ll see. … Everything that happened on the Hawaii trip was jarring for the program, but the response since we've returned to the mainland speaks to the culture and the championship DNA."
Dan Hurley's passion has always been a defining trait, but sideline outbursts in Maui nearly cost his team. Moving forward, composure will be crucial as UConn navigates a tough schedule.
While UConn's journey this season has been tumultuous, teams under championship-winning coaches often find ways to grow. With renewed focus and defensive adjustments, the Huskies still have the potential to make history.