The Uconn vs Florida game on Sunday was one for the ages. Two-time defending champions with a 13-game winning streak this season, and a 5-game winning streak against the Gators, the odds heavily favored Dan Hurley’s Uconn. But the Gators are on a mission this season, and with Todd Golden at the helm, they not only knocked out the Huskies but also ended their three-peat dream in a thriller. In hindsight, was this not already on the cards? Even before this clash, the Gators were the clear favorites for cutting down the nets in April. Jay Bilas of ESPN was so sure about the Gators that he believed, “Todd Golden has, I think, the best team in college basketball right now… They’re legit. And right now, I don’t think, in a seven-game series, anyone is beating Florida.”

The Gators are busy basking in this win. On the flip side, it was a tough day for UConn whose season officially comes to an end. At the end of the end of the day, “We played with tremendous honor and the heart of a championship program” is how Dan Hurley summed it up. And that’s not, by any chance, a stretch. UConn forced Florida into a two-point thriller—ending a 13-game tournament win streak that had spanned back-to-back national titles. Florida advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017, but let’s be real: this win raised more red flags than reasons to celebrate.

Sure, Florida’s win bumped their Sweet 16 total to 12. That’s impressive on paper. But anyone who watched the game knows it wasn’t a dominant performance. The UConn Huskies, an 8-seed, nearly pulled it off. And now? A bunch of NCAA teams are taking notes, realizing Florida might not be as solid as many believe.

College basketball analyst Mark Titus gave his take after the game. “Florida’s offense was just clunky at times,” he said. “The thing that’s holding me back from being as excited about Florida as I am about Duke is sort of the same thing that I think Auburn struggles with at times. When I watch Florida, the talent is evident; the multiple weapons that can just ruin you are evident.” Florida has weapons to work with players like Alex Condon, and Walter Clayton Jr has been lethal from deep. But there has been a struggle.

Mainly because of their defense. “What I don’t love sometimes is.. one..their defensive intensity,” Titus said. “Which you saw for long stretches in this game. Then they lock the fu-k in towards the end of the game, and it was like—you could just feel it. You could just feel the intensity ramp up somewhere around like right after the under-eight timeout. They looked up and they were like, “Oh yeah, UConn’s just not going to go away. We have to really sit down and guard now.””

Interestingly, that late-game switch-up was the difference. “Thankfully, down the stretch, they locked in on the defensive end,” Titus added. “Walter Clayton hit some..some.. insane shots, and every time they went to the free-throw line and missed, they seemed to get the offensive rebound. That was kind of the formula for the win.” So yes, Florida got through, but with Maryland up next on March 27, Todd Golden’s got work to do because surviving like that isn’t a long-term plan.

Dan Hurley took the Loss But Sent a Message

Credit where it’s due—Dan Hurley gave props to Florida. He called Clayton’s shot-making “NBA-level” and didn’t downplay what it took to knock out his team. “It took that for somebody to put us down in this tournament after winning a bunch in a row here,” he said. That wasn’t just a compliment. That was Hurley saying, “You better bring your absolute best to beat us.” But the Huskies’ HC did not mince his words when it came to poor officiating in the game. The veteran coach warned Baylor ahead of their faceoff against another no. 1 seed, the Duke Blue Devils. “Hope they don’t f— you like they f—ed us. I hope they don’t do that to you, Baylor,” Hurley was heard yelling in the tunnel.

Top Comment by Hurleyisanasshat

This writer is a clown…every team is vulnerable…they lost to Georgia for Christs sake…what they didn’t do was lose to...more

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Well, now the damage is already done, Hurley confessed his feelings after the loss. The guy’s known for being fiery—some say too fiery—and now the question is whether he can keep that edge without burning himself out. “We’re a passionate program… You’re always drained when it’s over,” he admitted. And when he got emotional at the press conference, it wasn’t just about the loss. It was everything—the pressure, the passion, the exhaustion.

With players like Karaban and Johnson leaving, Dan Hurley’s already thinking ahead. He’s not backing down. He wants the big games—“home-and-homes with Duke, Carolina, Kansas”—to keep UConn sharp. But as he said, “It takes two to tango.” Holding onto core guys like Solomon Ball and Jaylin Stewart will be crucial to stay in the mix next year.

And let’s not forget—Hurley’s legacy is locked in. Two straight titles, a $50 million extension, and a Naismith Coach of the Year award? He’s already in the elite tier. But this Florida loss was a reminder: staying great is harder than getting there. NIL, transfers, roster churn—it’s a new world. And how Hurley adjusts might be what keeps UConn at the top… or sends them sliding back down.

One thing’s clear though—Florida may have moved on, but thanks to Dan Hurley, everyone now sees where they’re vulnerable.