The UConn Huskies men’s basketball team concluded the 2024-25 season in a rather disappointing 24-11 run. One of the pressing issues was the team’s inconsistency, especially struggling in high-pressure situations.
The Huskies lacked in defense, especially against their top-25 opponents, witnessing a spike in their points allowed per game. UConn allowed an average of 68 points per game but that number saw a sharp spike to 72 when facing the top-25 teams.
It’s not just the fans, but even coach Dan Hurley has noticed all of these weaknesses leading to his team letting him down. Hurley had specifically pinpointed defense as the season’s biggest issues, evident during marquee matchups and tournament play.
Echoing the same sentiments once again, here’s what Hurley had to say in his recent media appearance:
“Why were we bad defensively? I mean, number one, we’re a dreadful transition team defensively. And that’s like, the number one way that you can have a bad season is if you are not an elite transition defensive team, you know. And then, we couldn’t guard the ball.” (4:00)
Coach Hurley was quite candid about how lack of defense cost the Huskies last season. Previously, he had also described his team to be ‘defending like pretenders.’ This was sharply contrasting to how seasoned defenders had formed the core identity of the Huskies over the years.
To put things into perspective, the Huskies’ defense suffered because of inexperience on the perimeter, diminished rim protection, issues in transition, and struggles adjusting to greater individual defensive responsibilities. Hurley also highlighted how he failed to imbibe discipline in his team, which he is planning to work on this upcoming season.
In the NCAA tournament last season, the Huskies marched past Oklahoma in the first round. However, a tough loss to the No.1 seed Florida resulted in a heartbreaking end to the Huskies’ bid for a three-peat.
UConn need a lot of restructuring to prevent mishaps from previous season happening
The UConn Huskies are planning to implement several strategies and changes to prevent a disaster unlike last season. Returning starters like Alex Karaban and Solo Ball will now be expected to increase their defensive intensity and versatility. Furthermore, adding Silas Demary from Georgia is a much-needed upgrade for the Huskies’ perimeter defense.
On the other hand, center Tarris Reed Jr. is expected to play a major role in the defensive upheaval of the Huskies. Having averaged 7.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game last season, Reed Jr. is expected to anchor the interior and provide much-needed rim protection for the team.
It seems like Hurley is targeting to strike the right balance between offensive firepower and two-way ability. This is evident from his current recruitment and player development strategies, which largely involve seeking more two-way players who can both stop and score on the floor.
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