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Another basketball season in Storrs will begin with a banner ceremony.
The UConn men’s basketball program will recognize its 2023-24 back-to-back national championship team, one of the most dominant teams of all-time, on Wednesday night before it tips off against Sacred Heart at Gampel Pavilion. The Huskies, ranked No. 3 nationally in the preseason, have a chance to become the first team to win three consecutive NCAA titles in more than 50 years.
The program’s sixth championship banner is expected to be unveiled around 6:30 p.m. Then, at 7 p.m., the roster Dan Hurley and his staff assembled for a potential three-peat will take the court.
It has been quite the offseason for the UConn men.
First, the Huskies had all five of their starters declare for the NBA Draft. Then, former Michigan center Tarris Reed and former St. Mary’s guard Aidan Mahaney committed as transfers, and five-star freshman Liam McNeeley joined Ahmad Nowell and Isaiah Abraham in UConn’s high school recruiting class. Karaban pulled his name from the draft in late May and, about a week later, Hurley was at the center of the biggest news story in sports, flying out to Los Angeles and exploring the idea of coaching LeBron James and the Lakers.
Inside the room where UConn men’s renowned, innovative offense is drawn up
As Karaban returned to chase history in Connecticut, Hurley did the same. But Hurley didn’t come back without making sure the team knew the gravity of his decision. To the players, it showed loyalty and commitment, but also belief in what the group is capable of – maybe Hurley wouldn’t have come back if he didn’t think a three-peat was possible.
Success this season will start with Karaban, and Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson, the three two-time champs. They will be counted on as leaders with so many culture pieces – Donovan Clingan, Cam Spencer – having left for the NBA. Hurley “bet heavy” on his sophomore class and expects jumps from the likes of Solo Ball and Jaylin Stewart,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-uconn-men-basketball-season-172900776.html
Author : Hartford Courant
Publish date : 2024-11-05 17:29:00
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