From starting the year with a “compete for a three-peat” attitude to conceding that “obviously the regular season goal of the championship has come and gone,” Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies have had a turbulent journey. The reigning national champions have encountered their fair share of adversity, but just 22 hours before their crucial clash with Marquette, Hurley received a major boost that might shift the tide. As UConn stands at 20-9, the road ahead demands resilience, and Hurley is drawing inspiration from the past to navigate the present.
According to a post on X by journalist Sam Calhoun, “Breaking: With Villanova losing tonight, UConn has clinched a first-round bye.”
That’s a significant boost for the Huskies, but their work isn’t done yet. With two regular-season games left, they still have a shot at climbing even higher in the standings.
Breaking: With Villanova losing tonight, UConn has clinched a first-round bye.
— Sam Calhoun (@_samcalhoun) March 5, 2025
If UConn can take care of business against Marquette on Wednesday and then handle last-place Seton Hall on Senior Day at Gampel, they’ll lock in at least the No. 3 seed. But there’s an even better scenario on the table—if Creighton stumbles in its final two games, UConn could leap into the No. 2 spot. That would give the Huskies an even more favorable path in the tournament.
Seeding matters, and here’s why: Sitting at No. 4 right now, UConn is staring at a potential semifinal showdown with St. John’s, the top team in the Big East and a squad that has already swept them this season. Landing the No. 2 or 3 seed would push that matchup to the championship game instead, giving UConn a better shot at making a deep run. The Huskies control their own destiny—now it’s about taking advantage.
Ahead of the showdown, however, Hurley took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reflecting on the difference between last year’s championship squad and his current roster. “I mean, I just look at last year’s team, which we miss Apostolos, you know, in the locker room,” Hurley said. “I think we cried more when he told us he was leaving than when Clingan left. He was just an amazing guy.” His words weren’t just about Apostolos Roumoglou; they were about an era, a team full of battle-tested warriors—Cam Spencer, Andre Jackson, and Donovan Clingan—who could take hard coaching and still push forward.
“I realized that I couldn’t coach this team as hard as I’ve coached some of my other teams,” Hurley admitted. “When you have guys like Cam Spencer, Andre Jackson, Donovan Clingan, these guys could take hard coaching. This year, our confidence got rattled so early in Maui, you know, I’ve had to build this team up. I don’t think any of us were prepared for the level of scrutiny throughout the year that’s come with the success we’ve had the last two years. I think that’s been heavy for all of us.”
The weight of expectations has shown in their inconsistency. The Huskies rank 13th in offensive rating (122.3) but struggle defensively, sitting at 109th (103.9). Their strength of schedule (10.43, ranked 52nd) suggests they haven’t had an easy path, but numbers don’t tell the full story. Marquette, sitting at 22-7, has beaten UConn in eight of their last ten meetings, including a 77-69 victory last month. The Huskies, however, have been dominant at home (12-2), and with a first-round bye secured, they might just find their stride at the perfect moment.
Hurley’s moment of truth: Can the Huskies overcome Marquette’s firepower?
Marquette presents a challenge on both ends of the floor. They boast a 48.1% field goal percentage (34th in the nation) and a top-20 free throw rate (78.2%). Kam Jones and David Joplin lead a balanced attack that forces defenses into uncomfortable positions. Yet, their Achilles’ heel might be their rebounding. Marquette ranks 220th in total rebounds per game, a weakness UConn’s bigs could exploit.
Nov 6, 2024; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies forward Liam McNeeley (30), forward Alex Karaban (11) and Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley react after a play against the Sacred Heart Pioneers in the second half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
The Huskies’ offense has shown flashes of brilliance, ranking 77th nationally in scoring (78.1 PPG) with a strong first-half presence (36.0 PPG, 11th nationally). However, defensive lapses have cost them, particularly in second halves, where they allow 35.1 points (91st). To win, they’ll need to sustain their energy for all 40 minutes—something that’s been elusive this season.
With just 22 hours to go before tip-off, the emotions are running high. Hurley’s trip down memory lane is more than just nostalgia—it’s a reminder of what this program is built on. UConn’s current squad may not have the same DNA as last year’s warriors, but they still have time to define their own identity. The first-round bye is a gift, but what they do with it will determine if they can still chase something greater. Against Marquette, the Huskies have a chance to prove that their season isn’t over—it’s just getting started.
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