When UConn Huskies fought back against no.24 ranked Creighton on Tuesday, it was expected to be a beginning down the winning path. They had an overcharged Liam McNeely back on the roster and lower-ranked teams lined up next. But come Friday, Dan Hurley’s squad was back to inconsistency. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s the players as per Alex Karaban, for the coaching staff has a mindset the Huskies have failed to adopt.

“We didn’t show up ready to play. We were soft the entire game, and it’s on us.” Those were the blunt words from UConn’s captain after another crushing defeat. Despite a lead in the final minutes, both in regulation and overtime, the Huskies let the game slip. Solo Ball’s turnover in the final seconds would have Scotty Middleton making a layup and with it, earning their only second conference win this season. It was another wake-up call for the Huskies and Karaban’s words indicate they are aware. 

“Us players don’t take every game seriously and don’t treat every game life-or-death the way that the coaching staff does, and it’s our fault. It’s completely on the players,” UConn men’s basketball writer Joe Arruda shared on X. 

The 2x champion led the team with 20 points and 6 rebounds, but the team’s poor form reflected in the bleak 37.3 percent shooting from the field and 30.3 percent from three. They’d also meet their old woes in the 16 balls they turned over, translating to 9 points for the Pirates. This 69-68 overtime loss extends the Huskies’ alternating win-loss pattern they have been on since early January. March Madness is nearing and Karaban knows it’s time they pull up their socks.

“We have to rebound from this loss and turn things around,” he said. “Otherwise, it’s not going to be the season we want.” 

For Hurley, the pressure is mounting. His team’s inability to close out games is a glaring issue. The coach had entered the season “hungrier than ever,” as Karaban had previously revealed, but seems like the roster with 6 new faces has yet to catch up on the sentiment. The team now stands 9-5 in the conference and if the players don’t match the intensity, the season could spiral further. As Karaban put it, “It’s a reflection of us.” And right now, that reflection isn’t pretty.

Dan Hurley takes the heat too

“I felt like it was justice today because they deserved to win,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said after a crushing overtime loss to Seton Hall. “But credit Shaheen and credit their guys for fighting back at the end of regulation and overtime.”

Freshman Liam McNeeley was expected to be the hero for UConn again. Instead, his night ended in heartbreak. The 6’7” forward finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds, but he’d turnover the ball twice and incur a foul all under a minute — the last one — in overtime.  The Pirates recovered 68-67 in the moment and Middleton’s layup next sealed the deal. “That’s a winning play right there,” teammate Isaiah Coleman said. It was a completely different emotion on the other end.

The offensive powerhouse had crumbled under the pressure. For Hurley, that’s a bad look on his part. “We did a lot of things that make you look like you’re a poorly coached team,” he added. They host Villanova next and if they plan to make a deep NCAA run, that’s a win in the bag they need. Even better? The one against no.9 ranked St.John’s at Madison Square Garden. Doors are closing in, but Hurley & Co., still have an opportunity. If Karaban’s words were any indication of their awareness, we see a winning momentum in the next games.