SUMMARY
- UConn recently defeated Purdue by 15 points to win their second NCAA Championship in two years.
- Dan Hurley made a promise to bring UConn to the top before winning both titles.
Dan Hurley is currently rejoicing his second consecutive NCAA Championship win. Purdue and UConn were two of the biggest teams this season, both earning the top spot in their respective conferences. They fought to the end and this was supposed to be an extremely intense battle. Well, it did turn out pretty intense while witnessing Purdue being handed over a blowout defeat.
Zach Edey was once again the best player on the floor as he finished with 37 points and 10 rebounds. But the rest of Purdue’s starters and their bench lineup could not get themselves to do anything to support Edey. Four of UConn’s starters finished in double figures with Tirsten Newton accumulating 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. Stephon Castle followed with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists including one steal. Ultimately, UConn won 75-60.
UConn’s Dan Hurley spoke their success into existence
A few years ago, Dan Hurley announced to the world that UConn would get back to the top. Hurley predicted that UConn would be the team to beat before winning his first title last season alongside Jordan Hawkins. He said, “I just think we’re in year two of a rebuild. This isn’t the way UConn’s looked. We’re on our way back. We got exciting young players, we had an older group of guys that are gonna get enough wins this year that they’ll feel good about the way their career ends. We got some exciting young players that gonna help lead us back.”
“People better get us now, that’s all. You better get us now. Because [UConn’s] coming.”
Dan Hurley spoke it into existence after missing three straight NCAA Tournament apperance 🙌
(via @CBBonFOX)pic.twitter.com/C7GMbJR5Vq
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 9, 2024
He added, “We’re gonna continue to recruit and develop and bring the type of players that will bring UConn back. People better get us now, that’s all. You better get us now. Because [UConn’s] coming.” UConn delivered while Hawkins led the team. Hawkins currently plays for the New Orleans Pelicans after being selected as the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. History repeated itself under Edey’s captaincy in 2024.
Dan Hurley leads UConn to an incredibly rare feat
Before Dan Hurley was appointed as the UConn Huskies’ head coach, the institution had already won four titles under Jim Calhoun and Kevin Ollie. In 2018, Hurley assumed the position and made it a point to bring the Huskies back into the NCAA Tournament. His presence didn’t bring immediate impact but in 2021 he helped the Huskies return to the NCAA Tournament.
After fighting through two early exits, Hurley helped UConn achieve the fourth seed in the Big East during the 2022-23 season. He led them to the top spot in the conference during the 2023-24 season and he also won the NCAA Championship both times. UConn is the first time since 2007 to win back-to-back championships.