Previewing UConn: Expectations are high in Storrs, despite critical losses
This is the first of Friar Basketball’s Big East team previews ahead of the 2023-24 season.
When Connecticut returned to the Big East prior to the 2020-21 season, they certainly still had the brand, but more recent on-court success had eluded the program that won four national titles from 1999 through 2014.
Prior to its first year back in the Big East, UConn had missed the NCAA Tournament in four consecutive seasons — which hadn’t happened at UConn since the late 1980s as they transitioned to the Jim Calhoun era. This stretch included the last two years under Kevin Ollie and the first two with Dan Hurley at the helm.
Ollie’s fall was precipitous. He won 20 games in his first season as the Huskies’ head coach, claimed a national title in year two (2014), then won a combined 45 games over the two seasons that followed. Yet, after a pair of sub-.500 seasons, Hurley was brought in from Rhode Island and began the rebuild with a 16-17 mark in his first season, and a 19-12 record the following year while playing in the American Athletic Conference.
Hurley hasn’t missed the NCAA Tournament since UConn returned to the Big East three years ago. They earned a seven seed in 2021, but fell in the first round, while his second year saw them win 23 games and earn a five seed before being upset by New Mexico State in the opening round.
Of course, last year came the breakthrough. UConn was ranked second in the country after a 14-0 start, remained in the top five nationally for over a month, and after finishing tied with Providence for fourth place in the league with a 13-7 record, Hurley’s group caught fire in March and rolled through the NCAA Tournament on their way to UConn’s fifth national title. They trounced everyone — Rick Pitino and Iona by 24, St. Mary’s by 15, Arkansas by 23, Gonzaga by nearly 30 (82-54), and Miami by 13 in the semis, before controlling the national title against San Diego State (76-59).
Hurley cemented himself as one of the best coaches in the college game, not only by winning the national title, but rebounding from a 4-5 start in Big East play. They lost just twice after the calendar turned to February — at #23 Creighton and in the Big East Semifinals against top-seeded Marquette.
Versatility and depth were key for UConn last season. They had the best center duo in the country in Adama Sanogo (17.2 points, 7.7 rebounds) and 7’2 freshman Donovan Clingan, a first round pick in sophomore shooter Jordan Hawkins, another NBA player with wing Andre Jackson, and outside shooting from new additions Alex Karaban, Naheim Alleyne, and Joey Calcaterra. What likely put them over the top late was the emergence of East Carolina transfer Tristen Newton into a consistent weapon at point guard — a spot that was seen as UConn’s biggest question mark throughout the year. Newton went for 19 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in the title game against San Diego State.
Hurley enters the 2023-24 season without Hawkins, Sanogo, Jackson, Calcaterra, and Alleyne, yet they are projected by virtually everyone as a top ten team next season. Why are so many so high on them, despite the losses? What will be key for UConn next season?