Once a March Madness sure thing, UConn and Dan Hurley underdogs and overlooked
RALEIGH, N.C. — What truly defined the past two NCAA men’s basketball tournaments isn’t that UConn won them. It’s that UConn winning them was so clearly inevitable; a team surrounded by an aura of dominance across a dozen win-or-go-home games that defied the chaotic nature of this event.
There was no hint, even for a moment, that UConn was going to lose.
But as the Huskies arrived here to prepare for their round of 64 game in the West Regional, the notion of a three-peat has not escaped anyone’s lips. Finally for coach Dan Hurley, gravity has proven to be a law of nature – and college basketball.
“I think we’re, like, excited to be in the tournament,” he said Thursday. “I feel like, maybe in a weird way, there’s a little pressure off of us. We can just go out and let it rip right now. We don’t have this huge pressure of expectations. A lot of people don’t think we’re going to win the first game.”
UConn is here, playing Oklahoma in the typically coin-flippish 8-9 game rather than thinking about a third straight title because that is what its season deserved – much to the surprise of Hurley, who was dismayed in the preseason when the Huskies weren’t ranked No. 1.
Instead they were No. 3. And that was far, far too generous.
“We just had so many moments that we’re not accustomed to, (given) where the team’s been the last couple years, that were very jarring,” Hurley said.
Jarring like going 0-3 in Maui, including losses to teams such as Colorado and Dayton that never sniffed the NCAA Tournament.
Jarring like a loss at 7-25 Seton Hall in which UConn did just about everything wrong down the stretch and a loss to Villanova in which an 85 percent foul shooter missed two go-ahead free throws with three seconds left.
Jarring like giving up the Big East title to St. John’s and falling out of the top 25.
“You look at our season (early on) and it was like, ‘Are we going to be .500?’ ” Hurley said. “It was scary.”
It’s a little less scary now. It may even be liberating. Now, it comes down to a simple question: How good is UConn really? And it’s been a long time since anyone struggled to come up with an answer in March.
“I don’t think there’s any pressure whatsoever,” said forward Alex Karaban, one of the few remaining contributors from the back-to-back title teams. “Having done what we’ve done the last two years, there’s no pressure. This is a completely different team. We’ve been on a completely different journey, and we just want to wear the jersey with honor and pride. If we do that, anything can happen when you play at UConn.”
He's not wrong. It was a mere 11 years ago that UConn started as an afterthought No. 7 seed and wound up winning it all. Also, a team seeded No. 9 or worse has made five of the past eight Final Fours.
When you look at what this UConn team has done all season – or not done, to be more precise – it seems unlikely. But when you account for the pedigree, the coaching and the freedom of being a big underdog against No. 1 seed Florida should it advance to the round of 32, far crazier things have happened in March.
“With this group and that sense of relief and sense of excitement about playing in this tournament, now that we’re in it I think we’re dangerous,” Hurley said. “I think we’re a dangerous team right now. We’ve got three guys on the perimeter that could go and get us 20-plus. We’ve got two centers that if we can get them playing well together on the same night and we get some big bench production, we’re a very dangerous team in this tournament. I think everyone feels that, and I know it’s exciting.”
Maybe that’s just Hurley talking himself into having belief in a team that hasn’t really had much of an ‘it’ factor, but it does kind of feel like a win over Oklahoma – a team that had to win some clutch SEC games down the stretch to get into the tournament – would maybe start to bring a little of that March mystique back.
And if not? That’s OK, too.
After pulling off back-to-back titles, UConn – well, mostly Hurley ‒ has been a lightning rod this year. From his viral sideline meltdowns at officials, including one where he told a ref, “Don’t turn your back on me, I’m the best coach in the (expletive) sport,” a break from the spotlight might be healthy.
“We’ve been in the news a bunch,” Hurley said, wryly. “We get talked about a lot.”
So far, they are under the radar here. But if the Huskies can beat Oklahoma, that can change very quickly.
Follow Dan Wolken on social media @danwolken.bsky.social
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UConn, Hurley in different kind of March Madness this time
Topics
-
Dan Hurley, after a difficult season, sees a path for UConn to three-peat
The countdown to March Madness is on. UConn got off to a rough start this year, but Coach Dan Hurley hopes to lead the team to a third straight title.CBS News - Mar. 9 -
UConn's Dan Hurley on the intensity he brings to coaching
As March Madness nears, UConn basketball coach Dan Hurley sat down with 60 Minutes to talk about his superstitions, sideline antics, and living up to the family name.CBS News - Mar. 9 -
Why Dan and Andrea Hurley turned down the Los Angeles Lakers
UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley and his wife Andrea said there were many reasons why they declined an offer to coach the NBA team.CBS News - Mar. 9 -
Can OU basketball upset UConn in March Madness opener? Here's what Dan Hurley says
Oklahoma men's basketball isn't satisfied with making the tournament. The Sooners are confident they can make a run, starting with UConn.Yahoo Sports - 18h -
Dan Hurley in '60 Minutes' interview: UConn coach says he was 'embarrassed' by 'I'm the best coach' quote
Hurley's quest to lead UConn to a third straight title will be covered with a behind-the-scenes lookCBS Sports - Mar. 9 -
UConn men put on best defensive half of season to roll over Villanova in Big East Tournament quarterfinal
NEW YORK – Dan Hurley’s strategy for roster construction has changed over the last few years. Rather than zeroing in on great defensive recruits, the UConn men’s basketball staff has shifted to ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
It's March Madness time: Can UConn three-peat, who to watch
It's March Madness time. Can UConn three-peat, who got in that shouldn't have and who should locals look forYahoo Sports - 4d -
Big East tournament bracket, schedule: Rick Pitino, St. John's look to fend off Dan Hurley, UConn at Madison Square Garden
St. John's picked up its first conference title in decades this season while UConn stumbled to the finish line.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 9 -
Three questions UConn women’s basketball has to answer to reach championship goal in NCAA Tournament
The UConn women’s basketball team is riding the momentum of a 10-game win streak into March Madness, crowned by a dominant run to win a fifth consecutive Big East Tournament title last week. The ...Yahoo Sports - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 41m -
Viktor Hovland contending at the Valspar Championship after (another) coaching change
Two weeks ago, Hovland announced a switch back to Grant Waite, insisting he's trying to "get to the bottom" of his slump.Yahoo Sports - 43m -
Auburn basketball vs Creighton: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament second round?
It’s Auburn Tigers vs. Creighton Blue Jays in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 43m -
Georgia Amoore scores 34 points and Kentucky holds off charge by Liberty for 79-78 March Madness win
Georgia Amoore scored 34 points, including three free throws in the final 10 seconds for fourth-seeded Kentucky, which nearly blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead but held on for a 79-78 victory ...Yahoo Sports - 44m -
Mexican club Leon banned from FIFA Club World Cup
Club Leon from Mexico were incensed Friday after they were banned from the June-July Club World Cup in the United States for violating rules on multi-ownership, FIFA announced Friday. A FIFA ...Yahoo Sports - 48m
More in Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 41m -
Poch after loss: Wearing U.S. shirt 'not enough'
Mauricio Pochettino was left visibly frustrated after the USMNT's shock 1-0 defeat to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League, bluntly telling his players it was not enough to just simply show up in ...ESPN - 41m -
Skenes' 1-of-1 rookie card fetches record $1.11M
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes' 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card sold for a stunning $1.11 million, including buyer's premium.ESPN - 41m -
Bronny has season-high 17 points in Lakers' loss
Bronny James scored a season-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting and added five assists, three rebounds and a block in 30 minutes of playing time against the Bucks.ESPN - 41m -
Wood carded for signing autographs in NZ win
Chris Wood picked up a yellow card for signing autographs and taking pictures with fans during New Zealand's win over Fiji in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday.ESPN - 41m