When asked about the situation, the experienced coach revealed his stance. He made it clear that he is against players choosing to make the jump early in their careers, rather than continuing to develop further in college basketball.

“Unless it absolutely makes total sense for you to go and you know you’re a lottery pick guaranteed to go top 15-18, the biggest mistake you can make right now as a college basketball player is going to the draft too early,” he said on The Dan Patrick Show/The Field of 68.

Which Huskies players declared for the upcoming Draft?

The UConn Huskies are preparing for a significant roster overhaul as several key players transition to the professional ranks following the 2025-26 season. Senior center Tarris Reed Jr., who ran out of eligibility after a dominant year averaging nearly 15 points and 9 rebounds, is a lock for the draft as a physical interior presence.

He is joined by veteran forward Alex Karaban, a “winning” combo forward whose elite floor-spacing and perimeter shooting have him projected as a potential late first-round or early second-round pick. Additionally, freshman standout Braylon Mullins has emerged as a high-upside first-round prospect; the 6-foot-6 sharpshooter is expected to finalize his decision shortly, with many scouts viewing him as one of the premier movement shooters in the 2026 class.

When and where is the next Draft?

The 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled to take place over two nights, with the first round on Wednesday, June 24, and the second round on Thursday, June 25. The event will return to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Ahead of the draft, the NBA Draft Lottery will be held on May 10, followed by the Draft Combine from May 10–17, where top prospects like AJ Dybantsa and the UConn trio will be closely evaluated.

According to USA Today, May’s bonuses in the NCAA Tournament were as follows: $50,000 for appearing in the first round, $75,000 for reaching the second stage, $100,000 for making it to the Sweet Sixteen, $150,000 for their Elite Eight appearance, $200,000 for playing in the Final Four, $300,000 for qualifying to the national title game, and $400,000 for winning it all.

With the national title conquest, May bolstered his case to win the the National Coach of the Year award. Such an accomplishment would secure an extra $50,000 for May. Had Michigan lost against UConn, May would have taken home a $300,000 paycheck, missing out on the extra $100,000. It wasn’t like he would’ve had to pinch pennies, but his team’s triumph still secured him even more money.

Hurley misses out on a fortune

As for Hurley, had UConn defeated Michigan at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, he would’ve walked away with a whopping $1.275 million bonus. Even with the national title loss, Hurley is earning more in bonuses than May is for his historic conquest with the program in Ann Arbor.

Hurley has earned $775,000 thanks to the NCAA Tournament bonuses in his contract. Cutting down the nets of March Madness is priceless, but Hurley already knows how that feels, and securing $775,000 definitely makes the pain easier to withstand.

Hurley’s bonuses breakdown

Hurley’s contract bonuses are as follows: $25,000 for an NCAA Tournament appearance, $50,000 for UConn’s win in the first round, $75,000 for making it out of the second round, $125,000 for the Sweet Sixteen triumph. The win over Duke in the Elite Eight meant an extra $200,000 for Hurley, whereas the Final Four victory added $300,000 to the total.

A national championship would’ve handed Hurley the final $500,000. Most importantly, it would’ve earned him a seat in the debate for the greatest college basketball head coach of all time. However, May and Michigan prevented that with a staple performance. Now, the Wolverines are national champions for the first time since 1989.

“I am a UConn coach until the end. Maybe, [I leave for the] NBA some day down the line. But no, I’m a UConn coach, man,” Hurley stated during an interview with Jeff Goodman from Field of 68.

As tempting as coaching the Tar Heels may be for any coach in college basketball, Hurley’s commitment to the Huskies is rock solid. Not many—if any—coaches have it better than him at Storrs. Thus, it makes sense why Hurley isn’t paying any attention to the outside noise. As he made it clear, if he is to leave UConn it’ll be to take the next step and coach in the NBA.

Hurley turned down NBA years ago

Coming off back-to-back college basketball national championships with the Huskies in 2023 and 2024, Hurley was handed a very appealing contract offer by the Los Angeles Lakers. According to reports at the time, the 17-time NBA champions offered Hurley a six-year, $70 million deal. Hurley would’ve become one of the highest-paid coaches in the league, but he felt his time with Connecticut was only getting started.

Shortly after, he was inked to an extension in the “Basketball Capital of the World.” Per USA Today, Hurley’s contract in Storrs runs through the 2029–30 NCAA season. When the time comes, who knows where Hurley will head?

National Championship Game

At the moment, though, Hurley only has time to focus on the immediate future. And that deserves his full attention, as the Huskies are set to do battle with the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6 at 8:50 p.m. ET.

Hurley and UConn have a date with history, as well as a not-so-fun meeting with No. 1 Michigan, which looks downright unstoppable, outscoring opponents by a 107-point margin so far in the NCAA Men’s Tournament. As for UConn, its plus/minus is +41.

“They have championship DNA. What they’ve done over the last four years is as impressive as anything we’ve seen in recent memory. And we’ve got our hands full Monday, but these guys will be up for the challenge,” he said on the TBS broadcast.

It was no easy task at all to reach this stage. The Wolverines defeated the Arizona Wildcats 91–73 in the Final Four, in May’s second season at the helm of the team. Will Michigan be able to achieve its ultimate goal on Monday night?

Led by Aday Mara

Aday Mara led the charge in Michigan’s rout of Arizona, dominating the paint with a career-high 26 points and 9 rebounds. Despite shooting struggles, Elliot Cadeau orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out 10 assists to propel the Wolverines into the National Championship game.

The Wolverines are aiming for their second title

Thirty-seven years after their historic 1989 triumph, where they defeated the Seton Hall Pirates 80-79 in a thrilling overtime finish, the Michigan Wolverines will seek for their second official title. The team looks to break a nearly four-decade drought and finally return to the top of the college basketball world.

When and where is the March Madness final?

The 2026 March Madness National Championship game is scheduled for Monday, April 6, at 8:50 PM ET. The high-stakes matchup will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring Dusty May’s team against the UConn Huskies.

This marks the ninth time Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four, with the city serving as the culminating site for this year’s tournament drama.

“There were six fouls called that quarter, all of them against us. And they’ve been beating the (expletive) out of our guys down here the entire game… this is ridiculous!,” the head coach stated during a live in-game interview.

The Huskies’ undefeated season came to an end with a 62–48 loss to the Gamecocks. Now, it’s a matter of processing the disappointment and looking ahead to what’s next.

The altercation with Staley

The latest chapter in the storied rivalry between Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma took an intense turn during last night’s Final Four matchup. After a controversial non-call on a late-game screen, the two Hall of Fame coaches shared an incredibly icy handshake at mid-court, followed by a heated verbal exchange near the scorers’ table.

While Staley later downplayed the incident as “competitive fire,” Auriemma’s visible frustration with the officiating and South Carolina’s physical play dominated the post-game headlines. This confrontation added yet another layer of drama to their history, reminding everyone that the stakes in this matchup transcend the scoreboard.

What’s next for March Madness?

Following the dramatic events of the Final Four, the 2026 Women’s March Madness tournament is down to its final two teams. On Sunday, April 5, the South Carolina Gamecocks will face off against the UCLA Bruins in the National Championship game at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.

South Carolina advanced after the aforementioned hard-fought victory over UConn, while UCLA secured their spot by defeating Texas 51–44 in a defensive battle. This highly anticipated matchup will decide the title, with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET as the Bruins look to capture the crown against Staley’s powerhouse program.

Staley and Auriemma have both built powerhouses in women’s college basketball. Shattering records left to right, their success explains why both coaches take home big paychecks. Moreover, a breakdown of the coaches contract’s bonuses paints a clear picture.

Whenever Staley and Auriemma go head to head, though, money talks are pushed aside. It’s about legacy, and proving which program is the apex predator in a competitive NCAA landscape. So far, the Huskies have the upper-hand over the Gamecocks.

Staley and Auriemma first met in the 2008-09 season. Back then, the No. 1 Huskies visited the Gamecocks at Colonial Life Arena, and walked away with a 77-48 triumph. That trend has prevailed, as Auriemma and UConn are 8-4 against Staley and South Carolina in regular season matchups.

H2H record in March Madness

It sure feels like Staley and Auriemma go head-to-head in the NCAA Tournament every other season. However, the Huskies and Gamecocks have only met three times in March Madness before. So far, Auriemma and the Connecticut Huskies hold a 2–1 edge in win-or-go-home matchups against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Auriemma’s program had the last laugh when it defeated Staley and company in the 2025 NCAA Tournament national championship by a score of 82–59. The Gamecocks will vie for revenge as they meet in the Final Four at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.

Staley and South Carolina are no strangers to the feeling of holding a national title over Auriemma and UConn, though. The Gamecocks defeated the Huskies 64–49 in the 2022 national championship. Thus, Staley has already cut down the nets while Auriemma stood and watched.

The other time the two schools met in March Madness was in 2018, when UConn advanced to the Final Four with a 94–65 victory over South Carolina in the Elite Eight. Clearly, there’s a lot of history behind a matchup between Staley and Auriemma.

How many national titles has each coach won?

Still, that’s all tossed out the window. All that matters is right now, as the Gamecocks and Huskies go to battle for another shot at a national championship. For Staley, she is looking to cut down the nets of the NCAA Tournament once again. It would be her—as well as South Carolina’s—fourth national title.

For Auriemma, he hopes to add to his record-setting collection of NCAA national championships. He has helped UConn win each and every one of its 12 national titles.

That common factor has led to memorable showdowns between their two programs. Most recently in the National Championship in 2025, when the Huskies defeated the Gamecocks. Revenge is a dish best served cold, though, and Staley will have her shot at it in 2026. As UConn and South Carolina square off in the Final Four, fans are in for yet another matchup between Staley and Auriemma. And this one has a lot of prize money on the line.

According to information from CT Insider, Auriemma has already made $250,000 in bonuses as UConn reached the Final Four ($50K for making NCAA Tournament + $50K for advancing to Sweet Sixteen + $50K for reaching Elite Eight + $100K for Final Four appearance). That must be added to Auriemma’s reported $3.54 million salary for the 2025-26 college basketball season.

Still, Auriemma—coaching his 41st season at Storrs—isn’t cashing in his paycheck just yet. He can add an extra $125,000 with a win over South Carolina to make the National Championship Game, and he could cash in $300,000 by capturing his 13th national title in 2026—women’s college basketball record is held by Auriemma with 12 championships.

Staley’s contract bonuses

As for Staley, she hasn’t had to pinch pennies in Columbia, either. In January 2025, Staley became the highest-paid coach in women’s college basketball history. South Carolina signed her to an extension running through the 2029–30 campaign. Under her new deal, Staley earned a base salary of $4.25 million this season.

According to Boardroom, Staley’s bonuses in the NCAA Tournament are as follows: $25,000 for reaching the tournament, $50,000 for making it to the Sweet Sixteen, $100,000 for an Elite Eight appearance, $250,000 for reaching the Final Four, and a whopping $500,000 for winning the national championship.

Last season, Staley came awfully close to cashing in on that last incentive, but it was Auriemma and UConn who prevented her from doing so. This time around, she hopes to return the favor, as the Gamecocks aim to capture their second title in three years and stop the Huskies from going back-to-back and completing yet another undefeated season.

“We don’t hang banners for Final Fours at UConn. We hang National Championship banners,” Hurley said, via @MarchMadnessMBB on X. “We came here for rings, not watches. Everyone that makes the Final Four gets a beautiful watch, but only one group will get a ring. If you want to hang a banner, get locked in on Illinois.”

Hurley’s message should have the Huskies ready to run through a brick wall when the action tips off at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. UConn and Illinois are set to do battle on April 4 at 6:09 p.m. ET. The winner will then await its next opponent, as No. 1 Arizona and No. 1 Michigan will square off shortly after at the same venue.

UConn is coming off historic win over Duke

Of the remaining teams in the Final Four, UConn is the only one to have knocked off a No. 1 seed—and it did so in unforgettable fashion, as Braylon Mullins drilled a three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left in the regional final against Duke. Regardless of how the season ends for UConn, it has already produced the most iconic play of this NCAA Tournament—a moment that will transcend generations.

Still, as Hurley would agree, the Huskies aren’t in the dance for highlight-reel plays; they’re here to win it all. Now, they are only two wins away from achieving just that.

How many times has UConn won the NCAA Tournament?

UConn is eyeing its third NCAA Tournament championship in four years. Moreover, the school could capture its 7th national championship in NCAA history. UConn has been crowned in 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, and 2024.

Hurley’s legacy at UConn

Hurley continues to make his case as one of the best head coaches of all time in college basketball. In his eighth season as head coach in Storrs, Hurley is looking to match Jim Calhoun’s championship total at three. The difference is that Calhoun led UConn’s program for 26 seasons—Hurley could equal that haul in less than a third of the time.

UConn enters with strong momentum after handling the early rounds, while Michigan State leans on its tournament pedigree and the leadership of Pat Fitzgerald. It’s a clash between consistency and experience at the perfect time.

With no room for error, the equation is clear: survive and advance or go home. This matchup could define not only who moves forward, but how the 2026 NCAA Tournament is remembered.

What happens if UConn beat Michigan State today?

If UConn beats Michigan State today, they will advance to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The victory would keep UConn Huskies alive in March Madness and move them one step closer to another Final Four appearance.

Coming into this matchup, UConn has shown strong form throughout the tournament, including a convincing win over UCLA to reach the Sweet 16. Advancing again would not only extend their run but also strengthen their case as a championship-caliber team.

A win would also set up a high-stakes Elite Eight clash, where the margin for error becomes even smaller. At that stage, experience, depth, and late-game execution often define who moves on to the Final Four, making every possession critical.

What happens if UConn and Michigan State tie?

UConn vs. Michigan State cannot end in a tie, as NCAA Tournament rules require a winner through overtime. If the Huskies and the Spartans are level after regulation, they will play five-minute overtime periods until one team wins.

There is no limit to the number of overtime periods, meaning the game continues until a clear winner is decided. This rule ensures that every matchup in March Madness, especially elimination rounds like the Sweet 16, has a definitive outcome.

What happens if UConn lose to Michigan State today?

If UConn loses to Michigan State today, they will be eliminated from the 2026 NCAA Tournament. A defeat would end the Huskies’ March Madness campaign in the Sweet 16, while the Spartans would advance to the Elite Eight.

Despite the disappointment, reaching this stage is still a significant achievement, but it leaves teams just short of the tournament’s final rounds. For players, particularly upperclassmen, it could mark the end of their college careers.

Meanwhile, Michigan State would carry momentum into the next round, continuing a strong tournament run under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who has consistently guided deep March runs.

“I gotta do whatever it takes to lead this team,” he said to CBS after the win over UCLA. “I mean, I’ve said it before. I’m the most experienced in college basketball, just with what I have done over four years. So just help this team through the good and the bad, really just make sure everyone is relaxed out there, just trying to make everyone’s job easier.”

And he backed it up. Karaban delivered when it mattered most. He posted a career-high 27 points in the win over UCLA, five more than he had against Furman in the first round when the Huskies won 82-71. A big part of that performance came from his four three-pointers in the game.

Defense has been key, according to Karaban

The veteran forward, who already knows what it takes to win in March Madness, said focus has made the difference. Especially on defense. When that effort is combined with the team’s offensive firepower, UConn becomes difficult to beat.

“I mean, when we are locked in defensively, we are tough and rebound well. I feel we can compete with anybody, and we have so much firepower offensively that can be tough for other teams to guard. But we gotta take it one game at a time. We respect every opponent we face,” Karaban said.

Next up for UConn is a matchup against Michigan State, which reached the Sweet 16 after eliminating Louisville. The history between these programs is limited. They have played just eight times since 1998 with a 4-4 record. The last meeting came on November 25, 2021, when UConn fell 64-60 in the Bahamas.

Karaban has also cemented his place in UConn history. He moved past Corny Thompson for sixth on the program’s all-time scoring list. The sharpshooter now has his sights set on Ray Allen in the top five, continuing to build on a career defined by wins, games played and starts during one of the most successful eras in school history.

Hurley and Co. are set to bounce back and show the world that they aren’t done dominating college basketball. They have intriguing players, starting with Alex Karaban, Solo Ball and Jaylin Stewart. More than that, they have a talented center who has been turning heads in the offseason and might be poised to dominate next season.

Taris Reed Jr. has shown his abilities to communicate and help his teammates during summer practice sessions, as Hurley revealed in August.

“We’ve spent a lot of time with Tarris,” Hurley said. “Tarris worked his a** off. We’ve bet heavy that he’s going to have a dominant year.”

Dan Hurley raves about Taris Reed Jr. again

Hurley’s praise for the senior center didn’t stop there. Talking with the New Haven Register in August, he lauded Reed, but insisted he needs to be more consistent to boost his impact.

“He moves better than most guards laterally, running, vertical athleticism, off the boards. He checks every box. With him, it is motor. It is intensity. It is warrior mentality. It is discipline. It is losing your technique and fundamentals at times. If this guy puts it all together, he is as good a center as there is the country,” he said.

The Huskies had their pride hurt last season, but they are ready to compete again and reclaim their throne as the kings of college basketball.