Past weeks have been nothing short of a showcase for Dan Hurley’s anger on the sidelines. His passion was always on full display. But the past couple of games have been a bit of a relief for the UConn Huskies and for Hurley, too. These two victories were special not only because they marked a return to form but also because they came without their captain, Alex Karaban. And, for a young squad still finding their rhythm, that’s a huge deal.

Karaban has been sidelined since that tough fall in the Dayton game. But even without their star forward, the Huskies continued to roll. They demolished Maryland Eastern Shore 99-45 and then pulled off an impressive 76-72 win over Baylor. Liam McNeeley summed up their mindset perfectly, “I think we just showed what we’re capable of, even without our captain. A lot of guys had to step up because Alex brings so much.”

He admitted there was pressure because of their Maui losses but made it clear that it wouldn’t be repeated. “This is a really good win to get back in the right direction. We’ve got to build on it,” he added. 

The win was a result of a great team effort. Liam McNeeley led the charge with 17 points, while Solo Ball contributed 11 points, including two crucial free throws late in the game. Samson Johnson added 13 points. Despite being outplayed early on, the team’s defense tightened up in the second half, and they capitalized on 21 points off 10 turnovers to secure the win. 

Although some viewers even wonder if his fiery side was helping with the calls, that’s a whole other story. The fact remains they did something to make their coach proud. But throughout the game, the 51-year-old coach was all out screaming and calling out officiating. Classic Dan Hurley.

However, in the postgame conference, he admitted his anger. “I mean, I’ve been, you know, I’ve coached these guys frustrated, and I’ve coached frustrated for too long,” he said. “This is a team that’s going to be a work in progress and a team that’s going to get better and better.”

He explained how they’re relying on a lot of young ones. Meanwhile, the other team got all fifth-year, extra COVID-year returners. “You know, like they don’t, a lot of these teams don’t have developing sophomores and developing freshmen on the court,” he asserted. The HC then went on to reflect on his approach and his own struggles with his anger. 

“I got to coach this team with more, you know, with more grace and more building them up and more enthusiasm and more energy.” Also, he is glad that he has people to keep a check on his egoistic side and not let it overpower him. However, he has earlier made it clear his frustration, while intense, was rooted in realizing that this is a young team.

Dan Hurley explains why the intensity is needed 

The Huskies have gone through a major overhaul since their national championship run. With several key players gone to the NBA, including Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan, UConn has a very different look this season. Hurley knows the absence of these heavy hitters is a tough blow.

But, despite losing some big names, the Huskies had a solid start to the season, staying undefeated until the Maui Invitational. But even then, Hurley’s intensity has been essential. He’s fully aware that his squad is far younger than last year’s lineup. All they have is Alex Karaban, who has been a part of both championship wins.

“Last year, I didn’t have to coach with the same intensity. I had some grown men and just some innate kind of killers on that team,” he said. This year, with so many freshmen and sophomores, Hurley finds himself in a different role. “This team is going to need me to be a little more animated and a lot more energized and a lot more intense until this team grows up,” he said.

Hurley’s honesty about his approach reflects their challenges. While the Huskies have plenty of talent, they are still growing. And Hurley’s intensity is, in many ways, a response to that. He knows this team isn’t yet where they need to be. But the three-peat dreams? They’re still alive, and Hurley isn’t backing down.