UConn isn’t just playing against its opponents—it’s battling the ghosts of last season’s triumph. The banners in Gampel Pavilion serve as both a monument to greatness and a reminder of the standard they’ve yet to meet. Dan Hurley knows nostalgia won’t win them another title, and he’s preaching urgency over expectation. The Huskies have talent, but talent alone won’t carry them through March. They need grit, they need composure, and above all, they need a 23-year-old senior to be the difference-maker. The question is—can he rise to the moment when UConn needs him most?

According to Hurley, UConn’s success this season hinges on shedding entitlement. “Improving our seed in the league and improving our standing for the NCAA tournament,” Hurley said in a recent press conference. “The only way that you get sad or down about your situation is if you feel entitled because of the success that we have had the last couple of years, that that’s where we should be right now. You flip that entitlement switch and you just focus on what you’ve got to do to be better.” That philosophy applies to every player on the roster, but perhaps none more than Hassan Diarra.

Diarra’s role in UConn’s system is clear: he is the engine that keeps the offense running. Averaging 5.8 assists per game, he is the Huskies’ primary playmaker, and his defensive tenacity sets the tone. But his decision-making has been a point of contention. “Haas has got to make some better decisions out there on the court,” Hurley stated. “I think we could have lost by 30 if he didn’t start the game by making some junkyard dog type of plays on defense and some of that stuff. We were reeling there. We need that fire, that aggression, that attacking. He’s got to run our offense. He’s got to be trying to get Solo.”

Despite the criticism, Diarra’s presence is irreplaceable. UConn ranks sixth in the nation in assists per game (18.0), and much of that stems from Diarra’s ability to distribute the ball as seen in their recent matchup with St Johns where he made 6 assists. But with 2.2 turnovers per game, his decision-making remains a work in progress. The Huskies’ offensive efficiency (119.8) is among the best in the country, yet their standing in the NCAA Men’s Basketball NET Rankings at 37 shows there’s work to be done. UConn needs Diarra to balance his aggressiveness with poise, to make the right reads without losing the edge that makes him effective.

His defensive contributions cannot be overlooked either. Diarra averages 1.5 steals per game, bringing the kind of disruptive energy that Hurley demands. The Huskies thrive on defensive intensity, ranking first in the nation in blocks per game (6.6). But their struggles in the standings suggest that stops alone won’t be enough—they need their offense to flow more efficiently, and that starts with Diarra making the right choices.

Hurley’s recent update on Diarra’s health is promising. “Hassan Diarra’s health is improving, got more reps in practice today than he has been.” With UConn floating in the 8-9 seed range for the tournament, they need every bit of his fire down the stretch.

Georgetown matchup: A must-win for Dan Hurley’s seeding hopes

The Huskies are at a crossroads, battling both their opponents and their own past. For them to exhale, to shake off the pressure, they must trust in what they have now rather than what they were. And at the heart of that journey is Diarra—a player who, when at his best, can turn defense into offense, chaos into control, and doubt into confidence.

With just four games left in the regular season, UConn faces a crucial stretch in determining its seeding for the Big East tournament. The Huskies (18-9, 10-6 Big East) will look to bounce back at home against Georgetown (16-11, 7-9), a team that has struggled in recent weeks and will be without freshman standout Thomas Sorber due to injury.

UConn’s struggles from beyond the arc and turnover issues have been glaring in conference play. The Huskies have allowed opponents to shoot 35.9% from three while making just 35% themselves. Additionally, they have turned the ball over 195 times in Big East play while only forcing 154, a troubling trend as March approaches.

Head coach Dan Hurley acknowledged the difficulties, particularly against teams with strong perimeter players, such as St. John’s, which recently swept UConn for the first time in 25 years. The Red Storm forced 40 turnovers across two games against the Huskies and held them to just 26.9% shooting from deep.

Liam McNeeley’s return from an ankle injury hasn’t provided the immediate spark UConn hoped for, as he has struggled with his shooting, hitting only 27.3% from three since rejoining the lineup. Meanwhile, Alex Karaban has also been in a slump, making just 9 of his last 53 three-point attempts.

For Georgetown, Micah Peavy has stepped up, averaging 24.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists over the past five games. However, the Hoyas will need to compensate for the loss of Sorber, who was averaging 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds before his season-ending injury.

UConn has dominated this matchup recently, winning the last nine meetings, including a 68-60 victory in Washington earlier this season. With postseason implications on the line, both teams will be eager to make a statement at the XL Center.