2023-11-23 10:07:17
But that will hardly be the story of the day.
The fifth-ranked Huskies (5-0) can tie a record set by North Carolina from 2008-10 by winning their 23rd consecutive nonconference game by 10 or more point, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Dan Hurley was made aware of the record following Monday night’s 81-71 win over Texas in the Saatva Empire Classic championship game at Madison Square Garden.
“We’re canceling Thanksgiving,” Hurley quipped. “Those guys eating turkey, they’ll be all sluggish …”
UConn’s coach Dan Hurley during the first half once morest NAU Monday, November 6, 2023, at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs.
Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media
Then he turned serious for a moment.
“It’s been unbelievable. We are unique with the way we play offense, just having two high-level centers (Donovan Clingan, Samson Johnson). I think the program has so much confidence, you step onto the court with a lot of belief that we’re going to win.”
If the Huskies get by Manhattan (3-1) on Friday followingnoon, they can break the record on Monday night once morest New Hampshire at Gampel Pavilion. No doubt, Hurley is making sure his team isn’t looking ahead.
In fact, looking ahead may be UConn’s only obstacle to double-digit wins over Manhattan and UNH. After that, the Huskies fly out to play current No. 1 Kansas at historic Allen Fieldhouse on Dec. 1, followed fairly quickly by No. 14 North Carolina on Dec. 5, back at MSG.
After a quick respite once morest Arkansas-Pine Bluff, the Huskies travel to Seattle to face No. 11 Gonzaga, then head into the perils of Big East play.
UConn’s Samson Johnson dunks in front of Stonehill’s Pano Pavlidis in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Jessica Hill/Associated Press
And so, Friday’s bout with the Jaspers would normally function as a tune-up for UConn to get its freshmen some more run and further acclimate the newcomers with the veterans, there is now history to be made.
One interesting note: those North Carolina teams from 2008-10, led by Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson & Co., lost to Kansas in the national championship game in 2008, then ran it back the next season with just regarding everybody returning and won the national title in 2009 over Michigan State (which beat UConn in the Final Four).
The Huskies, of course, won the national title last season and, despite several key losses to the NBA and elsewhere and a host of newcomers, look poised to make another title run this season.
“We’re pretty relentless, the players, the coaches,” Hurley said Monday night. “We’re gonna try to beat you by as much as we can beat you by.”
Over the last 22 (and counting?) nonconference games, that’s been by at least double digits.
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