Dan Hurley has reignited UConn’s national prominence with an uncompromising drive for greatness, restoring the Huskies’ place among college basketball’s elite. In a year filled with emotional tributes and significant moments, Hurley is set to guide his team to the prestigious Jimmy V Classic—a platform reserved for the sport’s best.
Under Hurley, UConn captured back-to-back NCAA championships in 2023 and 2024, a rare accomplishment in today’s game. The Huskies finished last season with 24 wins and a 14–6 Big East record. Their 13-game NCAA Tournament winning streak ended in the second round against eventual champion Florida.
Dan Hurley Leads Huskies to Jimmy V Classic in Tribute-Filled Year
UConn fans have a marquee date to circle for the 2025–26 season, as head coach Dan Hurley’s squad is set to compete in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 9. While the opponent hasn’t been announced, the event is known for high-profile matchups, making it one of the early season’s most anticipated games.
Hurley, who had maintained UConn’s domination of college basketball, winning the 2023 and 2024 national championships consecutively, has been seeing great growth carry forward for the latest season.
BREAKING: UConn will play in the Jimmy V Classic next season, Dan Hurley announced at the Dick Vitale Gala. Opponent TBD
— Sam Calhoun (@_samcalhoun) May 3, 2025
The greatest off-season change in the program was undoubtedly the return of the star forward Alex Karaban, who decided to play his senior year in UConn and sacrifice his possible pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Karaban’s choice becomes a great uplift for the Huskies, with his experience and determination towards the championship being great.
In the transfer portal, UConn added key pieces to reinforce its depth. Malachi Smith, a guard from Dayton, joins the roster after appearing in 86 games for the Flyers. He averaged 10.4 points per game last season and brings immediate experience and scoring ability. The Huskies also secured Silas Demary Jr., a transfer from Georgia.
With SEC experience, Demary enhances UConn’s backcourt rotation.
These additions complement an incoming recruiting class that ranks among the program’s strongest in recent memory. The group features Darius Adams, Jacob Furphy, Braylon Mullins and Eric Reibe—each expected to contribute early.
KEEP READING: ‘Dodged a Bullet’ — UConn HC Dan Hurley Earns NCAA World’s Respect as Lakers Trolling Continues After NBA Exit
The Jimmy V Classic, established in 1995, has become a staple of the college basketball calendar. Originally held at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, it moved to Madison Square Garden in 2003 and has remained there, except for a one-year relocation to Indianapolis in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Last year’s edition featured Arkansas edging Michigan 89–87 and Tennessee defeating Miami 75–62.
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