The improvement over the last four years is undeniable and the buzz around the program is clear.
There’s no doubt that UConn’s men’s basketball program is in much better shape than it was when Dan Hurley took over as manager in March 2018. It’s been ten years.
But this is a difficult fan base. His UConn fans, who have rested on his four national championship successes in the past 24 years, are not used to his first-round elimination in the NCAA Tournament. But that’s exactly what happened to the Huskies the last two seasons. At the 2021 Big Dance to Maryland When New Mexico in 2022.
So, as the 2022-23 season begins, one common thought seems to be permeating everything from corner stores and supermarkets to message boards and social media. UConn needs to win an NCAA Tournament game this season.
“I would say ‘Or what?'” asked UConn Athletic Director David Benedict rhetorically with his trademark wry grin. “I have to win the NCAA Tournament…?”
Dan Hurley Fired? Is Harley in the hot seat? No, of course not. Neither scenario is likely to happen unless something completely unexpected happens. And probably not for years to come.
Still, another first-round bounce from Big Dance adds even more excitement to this difficult fanbase. You can feel it in supermarkets, message boards and social media fan bases.
And he knows it.
“We had the type of season[in 2021-22]where we got the 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, which was the best seed we’ve had here in a long time.” It could be. I think it’s been a successful year up to that point. (And) I have to find a way to get the program over the hump. A very strong and successful team in the regular season. But that’s not something I spend a lot of time thinking about. Today’s practice, my self-confidence, and what I’ve been doing as a coach over the past few years. thinking”
And when the Huskies hear their names called up for Selection Sunday for the third year in a row, will the pressure and expectations be even higher than usual, as nearly everyone in the sport would speculate?
“At that point it might creep — or let me change that — that absolutely It creeps in at that point,” Hurley confessed. Worried my team is too tight, so I’m too loose? Worried my team isn’t as intense?
“It will definitely go through my head, probably when I wake up in the middle of the night,” Hurley added.
Losing the first round of a back-to-back tournament isn’t the end of the world. Over the past two seasons, Kentucky hasn’t even qualified for his 2021 tournament, and last year’s first round bounced back easily to 15th-seeded St. Peters. Before appearing in the Sweet 16 last season, Providence had won one of his NCAA Tournament games in his 25 years to that point.
Still, there is history for that Husky. Jim Calhoun has led UConn to his NCAA Tournament 18 times, and he has only been eliminated in the opening rounds twice (2008 and 2012). Heck, even Kevin Ory won at least one game, both of whom brought Huskies to the Big Dance. Including the 2014 National Championships.
It’s not that Harley didn’t make it through the first round. In 2017 and 2018, he led Rhode Island to its first straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 19 years.
After easily beating Clayton in the first round in 2017, the Rams squandered a late lead in the second round game against Oregon, eventually advancing to the Final Four. In 2018, URI was trailed by second seed Duke after defeating Oklahoma in the first round of overtime.
“A first-round game at UConn is very different than a first-round game in Rhode Island, where he hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament in 18 years and faces Creighton in the first round. Let Oregon win two rounds…and you’ll be behind (and losing) by five points, and there’s a feeling of freedom, looseness, and no pressure when coaching in a place like that. . . when you are weak.”
UConn was a top seed against both Maryland and New Mexico. In both games the Husky looked a little drained and used up a bit overall. Harley thinks this year’s team’s tier (the Huskies could be his tier 10 or tier 11) will help in that area.
“There were some restrictions on last year’s roster, so some players didn’t have a full or half tank when they reached the postseason,” Benedict explained. “When it comes to March, everything has to be going in the right direction. The matchups aren’t always the best.”
Also, in both games, the Huskies had exceptional performances by their opponents’ top scorer and best player, Maryland’s Eric Ayala (23 points) and New Mexico State’s Teddy Allen (37 points). was able to defeat the
It will never happen again.
“Look, we’re in a really competitive league,” Benedict noted. “But at the same time,[the staff]have built a very deep roster and would love to see the next step taken. And I think we are in a position to do that.”
Only two of this year’s key players (Adama Sanogo and Andre Jackson) were on the Huskies’ roster in both first-round eliminations.
“I think when you go back to that moment, it’s up to the coaching staff,” Hurley said. “But I think this team is very different… I think I’m going to be at the cost. It’s a given. That’s the beauty of having a new team like this. If we can get back to that position, I don’t think they will wear it.”
Ultimately, the Huskies need to win an NCAA Tournament game this season. if not more.
“Obviously, it’s a natural step,” Benedict said. “I think there’s no question that the mentality within that program is that they don’t just want to win NCAA Tournament games, they want to compete to make deep runs. I think Coach Harley has a lot of history-based beliefs, whether it’s himself or what his father did. Whether it’s something he’s learned throughout his life and career, focus every day, improve every day, and in the end it will work.”
or what? Or the fanbase will continue to become impatient, causing even more Dan Hurley to wake up in the middle of the night.
david.borges@hearstmediact.com @DaveBorges
