CBB

Dan Hurley's UConn predicted to bounce back after subpar season

Even though they didn't fare well last season, people should know better than to sleep on Dan Hurley's Huskies.

UConn coach Dan Hurley.
Ā© Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesUConn coach Dan Hurley.

After a heartbreaking second-round loss against the Florida Gators in the 2025 NCAA national tournament, the UConn Huskies are ready to bounce back and compete for the national championship again. 

The Gators would go on to win it all later on, confirming that they were the best team in the country. The Huskies, who won the 2023 and 2024 national championships, are still expected to make some noise in the upcoming season. 

During Monday’s episode of the ā€œField of 68 After Darkā€ podcast, college basketball analyst John Fanta expressed his good feelings about UConn’s chances to shine again in 2026.

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Analyst makes strong prediction about UConn Huskies 

After they failed to win a third consecutive championship, Fanta believes the Huskies will be hungry to win their third title in the last four seasons. He pointed out that continuity can play a big role in a potential title run. 

Head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies reacts in the first half against the Florida Gators in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lenovo Center on March 23, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies

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ā€œI think that this is a team that has the makeup to reach the program’s third Final Four in four years and frankly can win a national championship,ā€ Fanta said. When you have the continuity factors, you also have the hunger factor of last year.ā€

More than that, Fanta said that the Gators struggled at times against the Huskies, and they wouldn’t want to face UConn again this college basketball season. 

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ā€œUConn was giving Florida’s defense so many fits. And the Gators were really in a deep hole,ā€ Fanta said. ā€œThey would tell you they might not win a national championship without that test from UConn to make them have a reality check.ā€œ

The Huskies are set to bounce back and let everybody know they aren’t done yet

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