Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley has become quite a popular man over the past three years. On top of leading the program to back-to-back national titles, he also made the rounds around the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a>.



Hurley infamously turned down the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers </a>to return to campus. That’s not a common decision, but he’s proven that he’s not someone who does things the regular or easy way.



Now, the renowned head coach will give the fans a deeper look at his mindset and history. He recently announced that he would release a tell-all biography in the fall titled “Never Stop: Life, Leadership, and What It Takes to Be Great.”



<h2>Dan Hurley will release a book</h2>



“I’ve confronted a lot of obstacles and adversity on my journey from troubled college student to two-time national champ at UConn, and I’m proud to share those stories–along with my leadership philosophies and methods in building a winning team–in my upcoming book, ‘Never Stop.’” Hurley wrote. “Above all, I’m writing this to help people overcome and succeed. I hope you get a chance to read it.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="631" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250220_BUS_341000_danhurleyjpg_242310155-1024x631_96225acf.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=631" alt="" class="wp-image-217995" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/danhurleyjpg_242310155-1024x631.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/danhurleyjpg_242310155-300x185.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/danhurleyjpg_242310155-768x474.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/danhurleyjpg_242310155.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Dan Hurley head coach of the UConn Huskies</figcaption></figure>



The biography will reportedly cover vast aspects of his personal life, including struggles with mental health, alcoholism, depression, and suicidal thoughts when he played at Seton Hall.


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He will also share an in-depth look at his journey to the top of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball </a>coaching ranks, all the way from his days as an assistant coach at Rutgers to where he is nowadays.

NCAAB News: UConn’s Dan Hurley makes huge personal announcement

NCAAB News: UConn's Dan Hurley makes huge personal announcement - Bolavip US

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Dan Hurley is a living legend, and the UConn Huskies will forever be indebted to him. Not only did he lead them to back-to-back titles, but he also turned down a job in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> to stay there.



Nevertheless, as good a coach as he is, he’s not particularly great at taking accountability. This complicated season has shown his worst side, and it’s hard to imagine he would be able to withstand the NBA’s scrutiny.



That was evident again after his team’s latest setback, a one-point overtime loss to Seton Hall. Instead of talking about adjustments, he threw his bench players under the bus.



<h2>Dan Hurley blames his bench for another loss</h2>



“I don’t know that there’s anyone that’s not starting that is playing harder than the people that are playing. You hope to get more from your bench,” the coach said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250218_BUS_339169_Dan-Hurley-2-1024x576_5f6f21a9.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-287689" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Dan Hurley</figcaption></figure>



Hurley has earned the benefit of the doubt and has earned his stripes at UConn. So, even after going 17-8 for the season, the fans should give him a vote of confidence.


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Nonetheless, he’s made the news for all the wrong reasons multiple times this season, and one can only wonder whether he’s starting to lose his grasp on the locker room.

NCAAB News: Dan Hurley throws his players under the bus

NCAAB News: Dan Hurley throws his players under the bus - Bolavip US

With great power, players also have a great responsibility. That’s particularly true if you’re expected to carry the torch and become the best player in all of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a>.



Unfortunately for her, that might be what’s going on with Paige Bueckers. The UConn star was deemed to be the second coming of Caitlin Clark, and that hasn’t happened yet.



Of course, Bueckers has been spectacular, but the sky-high standards and comparisons might be unrealistic. That’s why analyst Rachel DeMita is worried about how these comparisons could affect Bueckers.



<h2>The Caitlin Clark comparisons could hurt Paige Bueckers</h2>



“You’ve compared Paige to Caitlin so much, you have fans thinking that when they watch Paige they’re going to get the same thing as what they saw Caitlin do and I think that’s so unfair to her. Paige is a great player she’s not playing bad but you have her at such a level that now we think Paige Beckers is playing bad when she has 14 points and eight assists in a game where they were double-teaming her and Geno saying well when she gets double teamed she doesn’t want to keep the ball. Who wants to keep the ball when they’re getting double-teamed,” she said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250214_BUS_333925_Paige-Bueckers-1024x576_1bd019e3.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-296582" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>UConn Huskies guard PAIGE BUECKERS (5)</figcaption></figure>



Bueckers has some big shoes to fill. UConn has had some of the greatest players of all time, and as such, they’re always expected to compete for a national championship.


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This will most likely be her final shot to take the trophy home, and after losing to Clark and Iowa last year, it’ll be interesting to see whether she can bounce back and finally leave that ghost behind her.

NCAAB News: Analyst shares worrisome comments about Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark

NCAAB News: Analyst shares worrisome comments about Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark - Bolavip US

UConn Huskies coach Geno Auriemma is a living legend. He might be the greatest head coach in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball </a>history, leading the program for four decades.



Needless to say, that means he’s had his fair share of ups and downs throughout the course of his incredible career. You don’t get more than 1,200 coaching wins by coincidence.



He’s also had an elite pool of talent. That was the case during the 2016-17 campaign, when he had Napheesa Collier. In an interview, he admitted that he actually wanted his team to lose so his players would toughen up.



<h2>Geno Auriemma wanted his team to lose</h2>



“You know what we have here? We have Conneticut basketball players and as long we have them playing Conneticut basketball, nobody’s going to beat us. You got that?” he said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250214_BUS_333885_geno-auriema-1024x576_5ee7d7ae.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Geno Auriemma" class="wp-image-270158" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies</figcaption></figure>



“And then, I would go home, ‘Please, let this be the day we lose.’ And, it just never happened. And then, by the time you get to the Final Four, we played our worst game and the other guys played great. Still, it’s in overtime and when that kid (Morgan William) made that shot, I was like, ‘Finally,&apos;” the coach continued. “Everybody said, ‘What a great sport he is.’ I’m not a great sport, I was just happy we lost.”


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The legendary coach was talking about the UConn heartbreaking loss to the Missisippi State Bulldogs on a buzzer-beater in the 2017 NCAA Final Four after going 36-0. What a great sport.

NCAAB News: Geno Auriemma made a hilarious admission about his desire to lose

NCAAB News: Geno Auriemma made a hilarious admission about his desire to lose - Bolavip US

The UConn Huskies continued their disappointing season on Friday night. They couldn’t get past the St. John’s Red Storms, dropping their fourth game in conference play this season.



That narrow loss was the Huskies’ seventh of the year. To make things even worse, they’ve now dropped down from the Top 25 AP poll for the first time in the past 53 weeks.



The Huskies were aiming for a three-peat this season, and that seems to be out of the question now. However, coach Dan Hurley isn’t ready to sound off the alarms just yet. 



<h2>Dan Hurley isn’t ready to panic</h2>



“No one gets crowned in February,” Hurley said. “You know, there’s no crowns handed out for a while here. Obviously, in today’s world there’s going to be very quick reactions and all types of hot takes. 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.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250211_BUS_333875_dan-hurley-1024x576_0940effa.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="dan hurley" class="wp-image-281112" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>UConn coach Dan Hurley.</figcaption></figure>



The Huskies have gone 4-4 in their last eight games, and things won’t get much easier when they hit the road to go against No. 24 Creighton. They’re no longer the team to beat.


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Of course, their chances of winning three National Championships in a row were always slim, but most people expected more from the once-dominant Huskies this season.

NCAAB News: Dan Hurley gets real on falling in latest AP polls

NCAAB News: Dan Hurley gets real on falling in latest AP polls - Bolavip US

The WNBA Draft is different from the NBA’s. Women aren’t allowed to go one-and-done in<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> college basketball</a>, and while that might not seem fair, it has helped some players build their brand.



Notably, that’s been the case with UConn Huskies star Paige Bueckers. Her days on campus and with the national team have turned her into a star even before going pro.



And with more attention going towards women’s basketball, Bueckers has an evergrowing fanbase. That’s why she feels bad for not always being able to be there for her fans.



<h2>Paige Bueckers talks about the fans</h2>



“It makes you feel bad because you can’t get to everybody,” Bueckers said. “As much as you want to sign everything, you want to take pictures with everybody, you would probably be there all night. But just want to stay appreciative of it, just stay in a state of gratitude to where people spend their money, their time, their effort to come watch us play, and we want to perform for them and do well for them. It just makes you extremely grateful to play here.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250210_BUS_329722_Paige-Bueckers-1024x576_361d9ad3.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-296582" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>UConn Huskies guard PAIGE BUECKERS (5)</figcaption></figure>



Bueckers is now expected to be the first-overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, but with all the uncertainty and struggles regarding the Dallas Wings, some believe she might go back to college for another season.


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Whatever the case, she’s expected to be one of the rising stars of the game once she’s ready to turn pro, and that rising stardom of hers will only achieve new heights.

NCAAB News: Paige Bueckers gets emotional when talking about her fans

NCAAB News: Paige Bueckers gets emotional when talking about her fans - Bolavip US

It’s been decades since UConn and Tennessee have hated each other’s guts. Since the late 90s, this has been one of the most heated rivalries in all of women’s <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a>.



This goes back to long before her time, but Paige Bueckers is well aware of the implications. That’s why she cannot wait to hit the road and take the court on Thursday night.



With the Huskies set to play in a hostile environment to square off against the Lady Volts, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft is actually looking forward to playing villain.



<h2>Paige Bueckers wants to play in hateful environment</h2>



“Very excited,” Bueckers told the media. “I got to experience it in the bubble years and I got to experience it two years ago, out. So this year, being able to play in that environment where that many people hate you, it will probably be a lot of fun.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250206_BUS_329615_paige-bueckers-1024x576_5fa59604.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="paige bueckers" class="wp-image-274696" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Paige Bueckers playing for UConn.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Geno Auriemma calls fans ‘stupid’</h2>



Unsurprisingly, coach Geno Auriemma was a little more candid when he was asked his thoughts on the rivalry. He didn’t mince his words about anything, not even his fans:



“It became something that wasn’t normal,” Auriemma said. “It just became stupid and became something I didn’t want to be a part of anymore. I think our fans are stupid. I think their fans are stupid, and how they reacted to the whole thing, it just became something other than a basketball game, and after a while that just got old.”


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Even though Auriemma doesn’t want to be a part of it, it is what it is. These two programs don’t like one another, and Thursday night’s game will be must-watch television.

NCAAB News: Paige Bueckers takes subtle shot at Tennessee fans

NCAAB News: Paige Bueckers takes subtle shot at Tennessee fans - Bolavip US

To say that this has been a disappointing season for the UConn Huskies’ male basketball team would be a huge understatement, as the back-to-back national champions have already lost six games.



Frustration is beginning to mount, and some fans have even expressed their discontent with boos. Coach Dan Hurley, however, believes they were booing the officials and not him or the team.



Following the game over De Paul, Hurley talked about his decision not to take the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> coaching job, stating that he’s vowed to have the fans’ backs so long as they have his.



<h2>Dan Hurley says he didn’t leave UConn because of the fans</h2>



“I guess that’s just for the fans to decide, whether this program and everything we’ve given them the last couple years — whether they believe that that was the right thing to do,” Hurley said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250131_BUS_324934_Dan-Hurley-1024x576_6cd9e6e2.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Dan Hurley" class="wp-image-285802" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/Dan-Hurley-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/Dan-Hurley-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/Dan-Hurley-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/Dan-Hurley-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/Dan-Hurley-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/Dan-Hurley-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/Dan-Hurley-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/Dan-Hurley.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Connecticut Head Coach Dan Hurley celebrates after the UConns win the NCAA title</figcaption></figure>



“My UConn fans, while I’m getting crushed by all types of people in the national media, my UConn fans have had my back since I’ve been here and are undyingly loyal to me, and they get that same back from me. That’s why I’ll never coach basketball in any other place unless you guys just don’t want me here anymore,” he sentenced.


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Things haven’t been as smooth for Hurle and the Huskies this season, so perhaps he’s trying to buy some sympathy there. Then again, he has earned the benefit of the doubt.

NCAAB News: Frustrated Dan Hurley reveals why he rejected the Lakers

NCAAB News: Frustrated Dan Hurley reveals why he rejected the Lakers - Bolavip US

More than eight thousand fans rushed to watch the Paige Bueckers show when the UConn Huskies visited De Paul on Wednesday night. However, Bueckers was far from her best.



DePaul junior Taylor Johnson-Matthews made sure to smother her with some physicality, sticking to her like crazy glue and making sure to disrupt every single thing she did on offense.



Bueckers finished with just eight points on 2-of-10 from the floor. The Huskies still prevailed thanks to a strong collective effort, which is why Azzi Fudd wanted to make something loud and clear: The Huskies are a team. 



<h2>Azzi Fudd says Huskies aren’t a one-woman show</h2>



“It doesn’t matter what night it is, any person on our team can step up and have a great night, and it doesn’t have to be just one person,” Fudd said. “It can be multiple people doing their part with scoring, rebounding, assists, whatever it may be, steals. I think that’s just something that’s really special about our team, and I think it’s going to help us go as far as we want to go, because we know we have so many weapons, and not one thing can stop us.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250130_BUS_324958_paige-bueckers-1024x576_0430ad8a.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="paige bueckers" class="wp-image-274696" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/paige-bueckers.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Paige Bueckers playing for UConn.</figcaption></figure>



That’s the kind of mindset a team like the Huskies need to adopt. As great and talented a player as Bueckers is, the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. 


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Coach Geno Auriemma has also talked about his team’s need to step up regardless of who’s on the court. And while they still have a long road ahead, that mindset is what wins championships.

NCAAB News: Azzi Fudd shares her honest thoughts on Paige Bueckers’ off night vs. De Paul

NCAAB News: Azzi Fudd shares her honest thoughts on Paige Bueckers' off night vs. De Paul - Bolavip US

Alex Karaban has been the UConn Huskies’ go-to guy more often than not this season. That’s why it was so rare to see him go 1-of-14 from the floor in the win vs. De Paul.



Karaban finished the game with just eight points, which is almost half of his season average of 15.4 points. Notably, he scored just nine on 4-of-13 from the field in the loss to Xavier on Saturday.



Nevertheless, even in spite of his shooting woes, Huskies coach Dan Hurley still liked what he saw from his star. Following the win, he praised him for his aggressiveness and ability to contribute to other areas of the game.



<h2>Dan Hurley praises Alex Karaban despite off night</h2>



“I thought he showed growth by keep shooting. If he made a couple more, he probably would have taken 18, and he has to do that right now with Liam (McNeeley) out,” Hurley said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250130_BUS_324957_Dan-Hurley-1-1024x576_78dc5ae2.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-287065" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/05151240/Dan-Hurley-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/05151240/Dan-Hurley-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/05151240/Dan-Hurley-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/05151240/Dan-Hurley-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/05151240/Dan-Hurley-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/05151240/Dan-Hurley-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/05151240/Dan-Hurley-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/05151240/Dan-Hurley-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Dan Hurley</figcaption></figure>



“It’s part of his development to be the face and the top guy in the scouting report … He’s going to continue to get better at making harder shots. I was just happy that he stayed aggressive, continued to put pressure on the paint, and even when he’s missing shots, he still creates space for other people,“ the coach added.


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At least, Karaban, like great players do, found other ways to make an impact for his team, finishing with a game-high eight assists and six rebounds. Hopefully, his shot will start falling again in his next outing.

NCAAB News: Dan Hurley gets real on Alex Karaban’s terrible shooting night vs. De Paul

NCAAB News: Dan Hurley gets real on Alex Karaban's terrible shooting night vs. De Paul - Bolavip US

To say that this has been a disappointing season for the UConn Huskies would be a bit of an understatement. Fortunately, it seems like they’re finally getting back on track.



Nonetheless, their 80-78 win over Butler wasn’t the talk of the hour around <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a>. Instead, it was Dan Hurley’s now-infamous and viral rant against the referees.



The Huskies’ coach was mad at the officials, and he told them not to turn their backs on him because he was the best coach out there. Now, after all the criticism, he’s not backing down. If anything, he’s doubling down.



<h2>Dan Hurley says he can’t be embarrassed by the media</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Super soft media people that want to cancel me for being an intense coach. I don’t think we need to make sports softer. So, yeah, go for it,” Hurley said. </blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250124_BUS_320441_dan-hurley-1024x576_2e222a4e.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="dan hurley" class="wp-image-281112" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/dan-hurley.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>UConn coach Dan Hurley reacts in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game</figcaption></figure>



The legendary coach doubled down on his take by stating that he wouldn’t be embarrassed or humiliated by the media. If anything, he could only feel embarrassed among his peers:



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“The embarrassment part of getting caught on camera talking about my resume as a coach, the only embarrassment I feel about that would be towards my fellow coaches. When I coach against Sean Miller this weekend, I’m gonna be embarrassed like what I said to an official, putting myself up on that pedestal,” Hurley said. “That’s the only place I’m gonna feel embarrassed is when I see coach (Tom) Izzo and Bill Self, saying something egotistical like that relative to all the amazing coaches that are just as good or better than me as a coach.”</blockquote>


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At the end of the day, what Hurley did was highly questionable, but that’s just who he is. And, judging by his résumé, he has no valid reason to change his ways right now.

NCAAB News: Dan Hurley rips "soft" media for latest criticism

NCAAB News: Dan Hurley rips "soft" media for latest criticism - Bolavip US

The UConn Huskies have been one of the hottest teams in all of women’s <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball </a>this season. With Paige Bueckers at the helm, they’re now sitting on an 18-2 record.



Bueckers dominated in the 100-57 win over the Villanova Wildcats, pouring in 21 points to help her team extend their winning streak to eight. She also added nine assists and eight rebounds.



Nonetheless, as well as the team has played during the winning streak, coach Geno Auriemma is well aware of the fact that no team can win off of just one player. 



<h2>Geno Auriemma says Paige Bueckers can’t win the championship on her own</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I didn’t really have a particular vision of where (The team) it would be,” Auriemma told the media. “I was hopeful that someone would rise up and it wouldn’t be the Paige Bueckers show. It can’t be that to win the championship.“</blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250124_BUS_320440_geno-auriema-1024x576_b8d1c079.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Geno Auriemma" class="wp-image-270158" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/geno-auriema.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies ( Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



Fortunately for the team, they have been far from a one-woman show. Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong have also been steady contributors during their scorching-hot streak.


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Bueckers will most likely declare for the WNBA Draft after this season, so winning the national championship means more this time. Whether they’ll be able to pull it off remains to be seen.

NCAAB News: Geno Auriemma has terrible news for Paige Bueckers

NCAAB News: Geno Auriemma has terrible news for Paige Bueckers - Bolavip US

For the past couple of years, Dan Hurley has become one of the most talked-about figures in<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> college basketball</a>. Long before he turned down the Los Angeles Lakers, he was already drawing mixed reviews.



While his tactics and his basketball savviness cannot be discussed, the UConn Huskies head coach also has a fiery nature. Of course, that has often rubbed some people the wrong way.



That’s why, following his latest outburst, in which he proclaimed himself the best coach in college basketball and called out the referees, NCAA analyst Jeff Goodman put him on blast.



<h2>NCAA analyst rips Dan Hurley for his attitude towards referees</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“No matter whether you’re pissed off at a call or not, no matter whether you think a ref sucks or not, there’s a way to to deal with referees,” Goodman said. “They’re human beings. They miss calls. They’re out there. And I think the other thing is, if you’re yelling and screaming at these guys and chirping at them the whole time, I’ve always said this, it’s much harder for them to do their jobs.“</blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250122_BUS_319491_Dan-Hurley-2-1024x576_1b3cd771.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-287689" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06155005/Dan-Hurley-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Dan Hurley</figcaption></figure>



Goodman continued by stating that Hurley was ‘disgusting’ for the way he talked to the referees at times, urging him to stay out of their way and just let them to do their jobs:



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“If you’re yelling and screaming at them while play is going on, yeah, it’s going to be harder for them to focus and get calls, right? But just the way he talks to these guys, to me at times, is disgusting. It’s disgusting. and it needs to stop,” he added.</blockquote>


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At the end of the day, everybody has their own style, and Hurley’s methods have clearly worked. Then again, perhaps the recent success has gotten a little to his head.

NCAAB News: NCAA analyst calls Dan Hurley 'disgusting' after latest rant

NCAAB News: NCAA analyst calls Dan Hurley 'disgusting' after latest rant - Bolavip US

Paige Bueckers’ rise to stardom continues. Even though she’s missed a big portion of his career with the UConn Huskies, she was still able to make history with the program.



With 18 points in the 96-36 blowout win over Seton Hall, the future WNBA star became the fastest player to score 2,000 points for the Huskies. Given their plethora of top recruits, that’s a lot to say.



Bueckers only needed 102 games to reach that milestone, six fewer than the legendary Maya Moore. She’s now the 12th player in program history to score 2,000. When asked about that, however, she know it was about to happen eventually.



<h2>Paige Bueckers didn’t want to force her record</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I was hoping I would get it at some point,” Bueckers told ESPN. “I knew I was six points away, so eventually, hopefully I would get there. I didn’t want to press, I didn’t want to force the issue and just let it happen naturally within the game flow and continue to play the right way, look for my teammates, look for my shot, play UConn basketball, and what’s supposed to happen will happen.”</blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250122_BUS_319462_Paige-Bueckers-1024x576_827ab7a4.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-296582" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/19150033/Paige-Bueckers.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>December 7, 2024, Brooklyn, New York, USA: UConn Huskies guard PAIGE BUECKERS (5) reacts to a play during the first half against the Louisville Cardinals. Brooklyn USA</figcaption></figure>



Bueckers missed a lot of time with an injury, but fortunately, she was able to return stronger and better than ever. Now, she’s expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.


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Bueckers has even signed a NIL deal with the new women’s 3-on-3 basketball tournament Unrivaled. And even if she won’t be the Huskies’ all-time leading scorer, she will most definitely rank near the top of the best players in program history.

NCAAB News: Paige Bueckers reacts to latest milestone at UConn

NCAAB News: Paige Bueckers reacts to latest milestone at UConn - Bolavip US

When you’ve been around the game for as long as Geno Auriemma has, it’s safe to say that it’s not always positive. He’s had his fair share of struggles and tough moments as well.



The legendary UConn Huskies head coach has made a name for himself for his tactics and recruiting, but he’s also a ‘tough love’ kind of guy who’s excelled at taming his stars’ temper.



Notably, WNBA legend Breanna Stewart wasn’t the exception to that rule. Coach Auriemma recently told the story of a time when he had to put her in her place, as talented as she was.



<h2>Geno Auriemma once ripped Breanna Stewart during practice</h2>



“You get a bad attitude because you’re always right,” Auriemma coldly told his star player. Then again, he also followed it up with some pointers and advice for her:



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250118_BUS_315602_breanna-stewart-1024x576_6b619b5c.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="breanna stewart" class="wp-image-301033" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/26155247/breanna-stewart-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/26155247/breanna-stewart-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/26155247/breanna-stewart-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/26155247/breanna-stewart-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/26155247/breanna-stewart-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/26155247/breanna-stewart-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/26155247/breanna-stewart-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/26155247/breanna-stewart.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>New York Liberty veteran Breanna Stewart will hit free agency in 2025</figcaption></figure>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“The way they guarded Stewie last year, I hope she knows this: it’s not the way they’re going to guard you this year. You can’t stay the same,” Auriemma said. “So to take those next steps, you gotta listen; you gotta pay attention, and you gotta keep growing and keep improving and not get caught up in — this is the way I’ve always done it. Look where it’s got me. I’m going to keep doing it this way.”</blockquote>


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Of course, it’s safe to say that it worked out perfectly for both parties. Stewart went on to become one of the best players in WNBA history, so it’s not like Auriemma’s tough love broke her.

NCAAB News: Geno Auriemma reveals how he trashed Breanna Stewart in practice

NCAAB News: Geno Auriemma reveals how he trashed Breanna Stewart in practice - Bolavip US

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