Dan Hurley arrived at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, just after his appearance on “Good Morning America” in Times Square, as his busy media schedule continued throughout the day.
This is the reality of being at the pinnacle of college basketball. Hurley has led his team to 12 consecutive NCAA Tournament victories, with a staggering combined margin of 260 points, and achieved back-to-back national championships.
Dressed in a tailored gray suit, fresh haircut, and black leather shoes, Hurley sported socks that boldly proclaimed “Certified Pain in the Ass.” He was ready to face the throng of reporters eager to discuss one pressing question:
What about the possibility of a three-peat?
“It’s the elephant in the room,” Hurley acknowledged, referencing the rare achievement only accomplished by John Wooden and his iconic UCLA teams from 1967 to 1973. “You can’t ignore this chance. If we fail to win three in a row, what will people say? That you’re a mediocre coach because you only won two? We understand the significance of this. To be remembered and celebrated at UConn, you must be a champion.”
Hurley’s ambition does not stop at past accomplishments. His drive for excellence has only intensified as he prepares for the upcoming season.
“If he has changed, he’s gotten a little crazier,” said Huskies point guard Hassan Diarra, reflecting on Hurley’s relentless pursuit of greatness.
Alex Karaban, a fellow starter and preseason All-Big East selection, noted that Hurley’s intensity and desire to win have reached new heights this offseason.
“Hurley wants another championship so badly, but his coaching style remains consistent,” Karaban explained. “The intensity has always been there; now it’s just elevated.”
Last season, the Huskies were projected to finish third in the Big East Preseason Coaches’ Poll, trailing Marquette and Creighton. They responded by dominating the conference, claiming both the regular-season and tournament titles. This year, UConn was a unanimous favorite, receiving all 10 first-place votes and 100 points from the league’s head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Karaban is using his exclusion from the first-team All-America list as motivation.
“Throughout my career, I’ve faced snubs,” said Karaban, who averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last year. “But I aim to prove everyone wrong this year.”
This determination aligns perfectly with what Hurley describes as a “pathological, sick and obsessive” desire to secure a third consecutive title.
However, Hurley may find limited inspiration from other Big East teams this season, as respect for UConn’s program has never been higher among fellow coaches. After the Huskies’ impressive 75-60 victory over Purdue last April, which capped a streak of six tournament wins with an average margin of over 23 points, the admiration is palpable.
“I think they’re so far above us right now, that’s not a goal of ours,” remarked St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino about UConn. “Comparing programs doesn’t help you reach your goals.”
Despite the ongoing comparisons in the competitive Big East, one thing is clear: UConn stands at the pinnacle of both the Big East and the broader college basketball landscape.
As his socks suggest, Hurley relishes leading a program that has become a significant challenge for every opponent over the past two seasons.
This is why Hurley is back in Storrs, Connecticut, ready to chase a place in history.
