The 52-year-old Dan Hurley set out to achieve what no program had done since Richard Nixon was president of the United States— pull off a three-peat in college basketball. As Alex Karaban put it at the season’s start: “he’s hungrier than ever.” Shouting at the refs, screaming at his players, the briefly self-proclaimed best coach in the sport tried to stir things his way all season. But here we are. One dynasty sees its fall for the first time since 2022, and another rises to shake off its ill run since.
For week 19 of the season, the AP Poll has a new story— it is Jon Scheyer who’s writing it. The Duke head coach has finally managed to lead the Blue Devils to the no.1 spot in the rankings. The last the program ever had the top sight was under Coach K in 2021. Interestingly, it had taken the legendary coach himself six years (Week 15 of the 1985-86 season) to attain the feat since assuming the role in 1980. His successor has achieved this in just his third season.
Jon Scheyer & Co. went on an eight-game winning streak to get to the position, knocking off Auburn in the process. It was a scenario most saw coming after Bruce Pearl’s squad off-tracked with two consecutive losses to end the regular season. This meant letting go of the top rank they had held onto for 8 straight weeks. For the Duke coach, however, the focus is on the larger picture– March Madness. On a 28-3 record, the Blue Devils stand with the least wins this season and are poised for a top seeding. But all that matters for Scheyer is the final result.
“Just my luck to be No. 1 going into the postseason when everything doesn’t matter,” he stated after the last win over UNC. “We’ve really been about finishing what’s right in front of us. Doing our best at the moment and if we do that by then, we want be the one when it is all said and done.” If that’s the goal, Scheyer couldn’t have been on a better path.
On the other hand, things have been the total opposite for Dan Hurley. After their 51-week streak of being a top-25 ranked team ended last month, the Huskies continue to remain outside the AP Top 25 rankings’ final list — that’s a first since 2022. Entering the season, despite what a subdued roster void of its 5 starters from the previous 2 campaigns suggested, Hurley remained determined. “He’s way more intense this year,” Karaban had said. “He’s leveled up.” But Maui Invitational was very quick to leave a crack, and no, things did not fall into place as the season progressed.
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley watches from the sideline as they take on the St. John’s Red Storm at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
The back-to-back defending champions finished third in the Big East with a 14-6 conference record and went 5-5 against Quad 1 teams this season. Dan Hurley’s elusive three-peat dream now certainly seems like a big stretch. That hasn’t been lost on the roster, prompting disheartening admission from the head coach.
Dan Hurley gives a devastating update for the UConn fans
As the Huskies head into the iconic Madison Square Garden, aiming to make a big impact in the Big East tournament, Dan Hurley delivered news that won’t sit well with UConn fans.
In an interview with 60 Minutes, Hurley revealed he expects half of his team to enter the portal. He said, “50 percent of my roster or more is at least considering going in the portal, if not already knows what school they’re going to,” Hurley said. “Yeah, and in a couple of those cases, they’ve already talked to the coaching staff at future schools and have an idea of what their NIL is going to be there.”
While Dan Hurley and UConn fans are used to losing their best players to the NBA draft every year, this situation is probably one they haven’t faced before. Although Hurley didn’t reveal names, it’s easy to speculate that the Huskies’ roster will once again undergo significant changes, after losing talents like Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle, and Cam Spencer to the draft in previous years.
But for now the focus will be on the Big East tournament. UConn’s strong postseason history remains a concern for any opposing team. But can the Huskies live up to it?
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