Entering the 2024-25 season, Dan Hurley knew it wasn’t going to be an easy task to hold on to the position they were at. “Really really even harder,” was his way of description. But watching the Huskies slip out of the AP Top 25 rankings sure wasn’t a state he had envisioned. It’s been over a month since UConn has managed a winning streak better than 2. And the X factor keeping them in the game? Liam McNeely. The freshman who finds himself on the elite list alongside Cooper Flagg. But looks like the 5-star prospect hasn’t ticked off all the boxes; ironically perhaps thanks to Dan Hurley standards.

On ESPN’s Magic Moments this Saturday, Sam Ravech and Luke Hancock got on to discuss Flagg’s freshman season. And while his case was agreed to be quite strong, the other freshman who caught Hancock’s attention was, of course, the UConn sensation. “This UConn team is going to go as Liam goes,” he begins.

Returning from an injury, the forward is fresh off a career-high 38-pointer double-double in a 70-66 win against the Creighton Bluejays. In his first game back after about a month, he’d also put up 18 points and 11 rebounds! In their last game against Villanova? He led with 20 points; 16 in the second half alone to pull the team out of a 14-point deficit. Hancock acknowledges the competitiveness but it isn’t 100% Hurley level.

“He’s the guy who brings the competitiveness. I can’t say it’s quite to Dan Hurley’s level, but it’s close,” the host adds. Well, that’d tell you of the head coach’s standards.

Hurley has demanded fire from his roster time and again. He’d even be happier to walk into the locker room and break off a fight. But Alex Karaban has admitted the mentality the coaching staff owns hasn’t been met by the players yet. Their loss Seton Hall was a wake up call and McNeely is all in on reaching the level too. “We have to play with desperation, play angry,” he had said. “We have to take our feelings and emotions out on somebody and that is what we are going to do.” 

Show he did against the Villanova Wildcats to bring his average to 15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 42.9% from the field. While Cooper Flagg may remain undisputed in the Freshman of the Year race, one can’t deny the case McNeely is building. Much like the Duke Blue Devil, he has his team riding on his back too.

“If UConn’s gonna make their run, it’s gonna be on the back of Liam McNeeley. He is that kinda tenacious player that provides the kinda umph you need on the floor,” Hancock concludes. But it isn’t just him who is of the belief.

Cooper Flagg and Liam McNeely, freshmen leading their teams

The Blue Devils just edged out Louisville Cardinals for the top spot of ACC and that’s majorly in the hands of Flagg. The freshman yet again posted team-best 7 rebounds and trailed only Isaiah Evans with 16 points. This keeps his average to 19.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.6 steals– leading his team in every category. If you ask Jon Scheyer, that’s pure focus on the game. “Cooper literally does not care about statistics, he cares about winning; That’s contagious,” he says. “He’s been very authentic.”

For Dan Hurley, his freshman takes the center stage.

“I mean, he’s got more pressure on him than any freshman in the country—to play well, or else his team is not going to win,” the Huskies head coach said after their win against Villanova. His 11 of 20 points and asn assist to Tarris Reed Jr. in UConn’s 17-4 run, kept the team alive. A loss there would have meant a bubble team consideration for the team.

Cooper Flagg’s role as the greatest freshman of all time may have been written well, but it ain’t over till the fat lady sings. If Liam McNeeley and the UConn Huskies continue to dominate March like they have done for the last 2 seasons, it’ll be the Blue Devils waving the white Flagg at the end of the season.