When it comes to intensity on the sidelines, few college basketball coaches bring the same level of passion as Dan Hurley. The UConn Huskies’ head coach is known for his fiery personality, relentless coaching style, and ability to get the best out of his players.
Though he may not always be the most popular figure among referees, he remains a favorite among fans, especially after leading the Huskies to back-to-back national championships. Following a major upset over No. 22-ranked Marquette, Hurley had plenty to say about his team’s performance.
Dan Hurley Reacts After UConn’s Thrilling Victory Over No. 22 Marquette
Hurley has built a powerhouse at UConn, and this season was no exception. With a 12-6 conference record and an overall standing of 20-9, the Huskies entered their matchup against Marquette with something to prove.
The game was played at Gampel Pavilion, a venue where UConn has historically thrived. The tip-off was at 8:30 p.m. on FS1, and fans witnessed a contest filled with momentum shifts, defensive battles, and clutch performances.
Reflecting on the game, Hurley credited his players for their tenacity and commitment on both ends of the court. He specifically pointed out UConn’s ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities and execute defensive schemes effectively.
“The way that they played, the aggressiveness with which they played, I thought we actually made them miss enough to win, but we didn’t get enough of them back,” Hurley said.
“You know, they got 19 of those rebounds back, and Jaylen Stewart had a thunderous tip dunk. But most of those offensive rebounds were below the rim, where UConn just did a phenomenal job flying around and getting some loose ones. Those second chances were obviously enough to create a margin for them to win. I told Alex Karaban…”
Hurley also praised Alex Karaban for his winning mentality and ability to deliver in crucial moments. Karaban, known for his clutch shooting, made a significant impact when the team needed him the most.
“I said, ‘That’s what you do, man. He’s a winner,’” Hurley emphasized.
“Not only that, but he had to drive a play or two before that down the lane line for a layup. What I saw was our guys doing a phenomenal job, for the most part, in this game, defeating screens.
“It was way better than the last time. I mean, when we played UConn at home, we were out to lunch—running into each other. But tonight, much better job trying to chase them off screens. We weren’t perfect, and there were times we had to emergency switch.”
Karaban was instrumental in keeping UConn ahead during crucial moments, and his poise under pressure was a key factor in securing the win.
The Huskies’ victory was not without its challenges, especially given Marquette’s physicality. Hurley acknowledged that officiating such a high-intensity game wasn’t easy, with fouls being called on both ends.
“The ball went down low, we went down to try to get it out of there, and they got it out to Alex Karaban. He did what he does,” Hurley explained.
“He’s a winning guy, a guy that has made that shot a million times, and he took it with no hesitation. Coach, how much did that first half matter? Yeah, I think we had a lot of fouls early in the second half.
“These games are hard to officiate because there were a lot more fouls than that on both ends. So, I’m not going to sit here and say it should or shouldn’t have been what it was.”
Hurley also highlighted how difficult it was for his players to maintain their defensive intensity while avoiding fouls, especially in the latter stages of the game.
“When you’re trying to defend with great violence while also trying not to foul, it’s a fine line,” Hurley said.
“UConn did a great job offensive rebounding on the times where we did stop them, they got the ball back. During that 10-0 run they had, we got out of sorts offensively. We were holding the ball too much, and we didn’t get to multiple actions. I thought, other than that stretch, our guys did a good job attacking matchups.”
Huskies’ Frontcourt Presence and Final Thoughts
UConn’s frontcourt depth also played a significant role in their success. Hurley singled out Cam Spencer and Donovan Clingan for their performances while also acknowledging the challenges they faced against Marquette’s interior players.
“I thought Cam and Jop did a good job attacking. Obviously, it wasn’t our night shooting from outside, which would have changed some things for us,” Hurley noted.
“Johnson was huge—yeah, he was terrific. The way he offensive rebounded, he had a big one that he tipped out late. He made a good pass there at the end. He was terrific. They’ve got a really, really good two-headed monster there at the five spot.”
Hurley continued by acknowledging the dominance of Marquette’s frontcourt players but remained pleased with how his team battled throughout the contest.
“Tarris Reed has been playing his a** off of late,” he said.
KEEP READING: Dan Hurley Gets Real About Who Gets Minutes
“Tonight, it was Johnson. Danny does what he does. Danny’s a winning guy, and he’s going to play whichever guy is playing better. But when they’re both contributing and helping you win, they’re a real load for us to handle. We don’t have the biggest, strongest front line in the world, but I thought our guys fought and battled. We’ve got to keep getting better.”
The Huskies’ victory over Marquette added another significant win to their season, further solidifying their standing as one of the top teams in college basketball. With Hurley at the helm, UConn remains a force to be reckoned with, and fans can expect more thrilling performances as the team continues its pursuit of another championship.
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