Dan Hurley and UConn managed to retain the core of their team from last season and have added one of the top-rated recruiting classes. It is safe to say Hurley is hunting for UConn’s seventh national championship next season.
Alex Karaban’s decision to forego the draft and return to UConn for one final season with the Huskies gives the team what should be one of the nation’s most talented and well-balanced rosters. It’ll be a seemingly perfect mix of experience and roster continuity, perfect fits out of the portal, and an infusion of young talent.
Dan Hurley’s Loyalty to Alex Karaban Could Bring Success to UConn
CBB insider Jeff Goodman believes that the loyalty between Dan Hurley and Karaban could benefit UConn.
“Alex Karaban is the perfect complementary piece, I think you would make the argument he’s the best role player in college basketball this year”, Goodman said.
“When he’s your third option, Fourth option, a guy where he’s a spacer, you run him off on screens you can get him to attack some closeouts and he can be a switchable defensive piece.”
He further added that Hurley is known to be very loyal to his players and it’s why most of them want to keep playing for him instead of hitting the portal. He did mention that Karaban withdrew from last year’s draft because Hurley was staying at UConn.
“His loyalty is why he’s able to get guys to come back I believe, I think he has to do this with Alex Karaban part because he came back for you when you said you were coming back to college..”
UConn currently need depth in the number five position and a big wing profile is also needed. If Karaban comes back, they have that big wing spot filled with possibly the best guy available.
Freshman Braylon Mullins is expected to start and he should be able to contribute right off the bat at the two or three. Georgia transfer Demery Silas is expected to be the starting point guard next season.
UConn is still in the market for a backup power forward/center who’ll see minutes behind Reed and Reibe. That recruit could come via the transfer portal or a high school, or off the international market.
KEEP READING: 2025 Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker
And with his return for a fourth and final season in Storrs, Karaban can become the first player since UCLA’s Larry Farmer and Larry Hollyfield in 1973 to win three national championships.
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