UConn basketball is in full form as the top team in the country ends the first half with a 33-point lead over Stetson. The Huskies look amazing and primed for a deep tourney run. However, head coach Dan Hurley somehow didn't like what he saw from his team in the first half.
Hurley was quick to claim his team needs to “grow up” despite his team winning 52-19, according to Jeff Borzello of ESPN. The UConn basketball coach specifically calls out his team's efforts in the closing minutes of the first half.
“‘We gotta grow up a little bit. The last couple of minutes I didn't like.' — Dan Hurley at halftime UConn leads Stetson by 33 at the break, setting a new program record for largest halftime lead in an NCAA tournament game since at least 1985-86.”
How in the world did he not like the Huskies' play in that first half? Maybe this is why UConn is considered the best basketball program in the country right now. So if it's not broke, don't fix it.
To make that quote even crazier, UConn basketball's 33-point lead over Stetson is the “second-largest NCAA tournament halftime lead in the last 20 years.” So, it's hilarious to hear Dan Hurley criticize his team to close that first half.
“UConn's 33-point halftime lead is the second-largest NCAA tournament halftime lead in the last 20 years, per ESPN Stats & Info. Gonzaga led Fairleigh Dickinson by 36 in 2019.”
At the end of the day though, there's a reason why UConn is the No. 1 ranked team entering the NCAA Tournament. They're absolutely stacked and can score from anywhere on the court. Additionally, they can adjust their play style depending on the opponent. Making them incredibly difficult to play against. The Huskies are easily one of, if not, the most well-balanced program in the nation.
UConn basketball's Dan Hurley
Dan Hurley first became a head coach back in 2001 for St. Benedict's Prep. He coached their for nine years before taking on a head coaching job at Wagner. After a short stint there he ended coaching Rhode Island for several years before eventually accepting the UConn job in 2018.
Since then, he's led the Huskies to four consecutive tourney appearances from 2021 to now. UConn basketball won the championship in 2023, marking the fifth title win in school history. Now Hurley is considered one of the best head coaches in the country and aims to win his second championship.
Nearly everyone has UConn basketball pegged as a tourney favorite. Between the high-end coaching and brilliant play, the Huskies have everything they need to win the big dance in back-to-back years. If they can do that, Dan Hurley's squad will go down in history as one of the best to ever do it.