“Don’t turn your back on me. I’m the best coach in the f—— sport.” Dan Hurley’s bold words now ring hollow after a tough 68-62 loss to St. John’s, sending the Huskies tumbling out of the AP Top 25. But while the rankings shift, Hurley’s vision stays sharp. For him, the road to a third national title begins in March—and that’s all that matters.

In the aftermath of the loss, Hurley quickly gave a dismissive response when asked about UConn’s fall from the AP Poll: “No one gets crowned in February. There are no crowns handed out for a while here.” The statement, both calm and forceful, was posted on X by Storrscentral.

While the Huskies’ drop from No. 19 to outside the Top 25 made headlines, Hurley wasn’t ready to hit the panic button. The volatility of the AP Poll was on full display—a single loss dropped UConn six spots. Hurley’s words echoed the reality of a fickle ranking system where each week is a new battle, and a week in February doesn’t determine a champion.

“Obviously, in today’s world, there’s going to be very quick reactions and all types of hot takes,” Hurley continued according to NJ.com. “You win a game at Marquette, you’re back and you’re the team that now, once they’re healthy, everyone’s gonna be afraid of. And then you lose a close game at home to a really good team [St. John’s], and you stink again.”

In his eyes, the narrative shifts too quickly, the highs too high, and the lows too low. Hurley’s mantra has always been about the long haul. UConn’s two consecutive national championships only reaffirm that belief. Hurley’s not concerned with February rankings—he’s eyeing March when everything truly matters.

Dan Hurley stays unshaken by AP Poll volatility, eyes march for three-peat glory

The Huskies’ quick drop from No. 19 to out of the AP Top 25 after the St. John’s loss is a reminder of how volatile the poll can be. This is the same ranking system where UConn went from a solid position after their win against Marquette to a drop after just one loss. But Hurley, ever the realist, doesn’t let the ups and downs of the polls define his team.

In fact, he is right. The more stable NCAA Men’s Basketball NET Rankings still have UConn ranked at No. 33. That ranking can be considered a more accurate reflection of where they stand, given the number of games played and the overall performance throughout the season. It’s a system that isn’t swayed by fleeting emotions but by numbers.

The road ahead is daunting, but Dan Hurley isn’t backing down. UConn’s crucial matchups against No. 24 Creighton and Seton Hall will be more than just games—they’ll be a statement. A win over Creighton could vault the Huskies back into the national conversation and solidify their pursuit of a third straight title. But, with key players like H. Diarra and S. Ball listed as questionable, UConn faces more than just ranked opponents.

Still, Hurley’s legacy is built on delivering when it matters most. Despite the rankings’ rollercoaster, the Huskies are chasing something much bigger. The tournament awaits, and Hurley’s relentless focus is all that stands between UConn and three-peat glory. The countdown to March has begun.