Did superstition blend with humor? UConn is leading the game for Dan Hurley, and Kim English has already taken an interception, costing Providence. Maybe he should have a lucky piece, too, as Dan does on his game day? Every athlete in the game has different superstitions they follow before or on the game day. But about now, it wouldn’t be a stretch to dub Dan Hurley the GOAT of quirky superstitions.

And they work! Just look at tonight’s matchup.

UConn has joined rarified air with an 87-84 win over Providence this morning. At this point, giving credit to superstition seems like a winning strategy after their narrow escaped defeat. The triumph continues every time the UConn head coach steps in with a never-before-seen superstition.

A point UConn beat writer for Hartford Courant, Joe Arruda noted in his tweet: “Dan Hurley said he changed his socks and his glasses at halftime for superstitious reasons.”

Despite being top picks against a weaker Providence team, the Huskies struggled significantly in the first half against the Friars, trailing by 12 points at halftime and by 14 early in the second half. The absence of the Huskies’ major key player, Liam McNeeley, highlighted significant dependency and a slow start. Their rebounds and loose balls made the game quite a hurdle for them to score.

Despite all these challenges, UConn proved itself by scoring 60 points in the second half of the game. Perhaps the quick glasses and socks swap really did work.

But the recent public outbreak of Hurley’s traditional beliefs and questions around the team’s victory has brought several insights. One of which is that, for Dan, his superstitions begin way before he enters the court with the boys.

How Superstitions Shape Dan Hurley’s Journey in the Big East

The 51-year-old coach sticks to a unique superstition during every NCAA Tournament game—sporting the same lucky underwear, with his wife playing the unsung hero behind the scenes to ensure the tradition stays alive. His choice of underwear is way too exceptional; according to the New York Post, his lucky pair is “red boxers decorated with cartoon dragons.”

During the 2021-22 season, he favored shark-themed underwear as his good luck charm. On the brighter side, Hurley’s ritual practices don’t compromise his hygiene rituals. And his wife confirms that he washes them after every use.

Hurley’s wife told the Post that he wore the same underwear for UConn’s first four NCAA Tournament wins in 2023, which were dominant victories over Iona, St. Mary’s, Arkansas, and Gonzaga. He kept the superstition alive in Houston, where the Huskies captured their fifth national title. For every tournament game, Hurley stuck to the same outfit—a navy suit jacket paired with a blue checkered shirt. Meanwhile, it is seen that other coaches have come across changes and swapped suits, but Dan kept it formal.

From lucky outfits to family rituals, superstitions seem to run along in the Hurley family. According to his wife, Dan’s father, the legendary high school coach Bob Hurley, encouraged her to keep wearing the same jacket she had on when UConn defeated Arkansas in the Sweet 16.

Hurley’s coaching career no doubt started with a slow pace but has seen significant success at each stop. At Wagner, he painted a 25-6 record in his second and final season; he also led Rhode Island to the NCAA tournament with consecutive wins. It’s a feat the Rams have not replicated since he departed for UConn.

After his entry at the Huskies, the team rebuilt the initial losing record with remarkable scoring. The team made the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and 2022 before breaking through in 2023 with six tournament wins and a national championship. The Huskies have put a dominant game in the West Region despite being a No. 4 seed.

This raises speculation about whether UConn will go on to win the national championship.