The air around UConn men’s basketball feels conflicted these days. With flashes of brilliance, a talented roster, and a hard-fought victory over Gonzaga, there’s reason to believe this team can contend at the highest level. But amid the cheers lies a sobering truth—Dan Hurley’s squad isn’t yet the unstoppable force they want to be.

On a recent episode of The Mark Titus Show, basketball analyst Mark Titus offered a stark reality check. “Now, having said all that, like, I do think, I just said like they’re back, let’s not put qualifiers on it, but back as in like, they are, they are not a disaster. They are not, the sky is not falling,” Titus said. “They finished last in Maui. They lost to a very bad Colorado team.” That inconsistency has left fans hopeful and uncertain as UConn ranks 11th in the AP Poll—a seven-spot jump from the previous week.

Titus’s co-host, Tate Frazier, chimed in with the crux of the issue “You can’t be the two-time defending national champions and say we’re back, to make the Sweet 16.” Titus echoed that sentiment “Right now, UConn feels like a Sweet 16 team to me. I don’t think they’re national title good yet.”

The frustration lies in the contrast. At times, UConn’s numbers paint them as dominant. Their recent 77-71 victory over Gonzaga showcased key strengths and their ability to close out tough games. They shot 45.8% from the field, narrowly edged Gonzaga on rebounds (35-34), and executed efficiently at the free-throw line, hitting 85.7%. Even in a game where UConn struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 20.8% (5-of-24), their ability to capitalize on opportunities in the paint and at the stripe made the difference.

And yet, there are lingering cracks. Titus’s comments are grounded in statistical reality. According to NCAA.com, UConn ranks 21st nationally while boasting a scoring margin of +18 points per game. They average 83.5 points, ranking 40th in Division I for offense. Solid numbers, yes—but not the kind of dominance fans expect from a program that carried so much momentum into the season.

Well, surely it’s not that bad, right? It may not look like it, but the Huskies have their own weak spot that keeps them from creating legacy of their own. Here’s what it is.

Hurley’s Huskies show promise, but one shortcoming keeps UConn from true glory

Hurley has undoubtedly built a resilient group, but inconsistency remains their Achilles’ heel. They dropped games to lesser opponents like Colorado and faltered early in Maui, signaling that UConn still has strides to make before being considered a championship-caliber team.

While the Huskies held off Gonzaga’s rallies, their inability to pull away sooner exposed lingering issues. Michael Ajayi’s late 3-point play cut UConn’s lead to 73-70 with 3:25 left, and the Bulldogs missed key opportunities, including a potential game-tying three from Nembhard.

Only a clutch layup from Alex Karaban as the shot clock expired sealed the victory. UConn’s defensive grit shone through—holding Gonzaga to just 35.5% shooting in the second half and forcing six missed layups—but tighter games against elite competition could still prove costly down the stretch.

At their best, the Huskies look capable of making a deep March run. Balanced scoring, with Tarris Reed Jr. (12 points) and Stewart (10 points) supporting McNeeley, shows the team’s depth. Their resilience in overcoming rough patches against a strong Gonzaga side hints at their potential. Yet, as Mark Titus summarized on The Mark Titus Show, “Back” for UConn doesn’t mean Sweet 16 appearances. “Back back” means competing for titles—and UConn isn’t quite there yet.

For Hurley, Saturday’s win marked his 300th career victory, a milestone worth celebrating. But even he knows there’s more to prove. The Huskies can’t afford to let inconsistency linger as they open Big East play against Xavier. March is the real test, and for a program with UConn’s pedigree, anything short of another title run won’t feel like enough.