The 2-time defending champions have fallen.
After main a lot of their second-round NCAA Event sport in opposition to Florida, Dan Hurley and the Huskies ran out of steam within the face of the Gators’ offensive firepower — and a senior guard, Walter Clayton, who refused to let his staff fall.
With that, some of the outstanding runs by any program within the 2000s involves an finish. Whereas the Huskies’ season is over, Hurley has constructed a powerhouse in Storrs. UConn will stay a drive for years to come back.
Now, Hurley and his employees start the climb again to the Remaining 4 and a shot at one other nationwide title in 2026. Who’s leaving? Who has choices to make? Who’s returning, who’s arriving, and what are UConn’s priorities within the switch portal?
Say goodbye to …
Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson.
UConn will not lose a lot by way of numbers, however Diarra meant much more to this system than his stats counsel. The Huskies’ main ball handler and creator, Diarra introduced an edge, a toughness and an apparent love for enjoying below Hurley.
Johnson, a rim-running large who provided some shot-blocking skill, was restricted offensively however grew to become a dependable lob risk and finisher. He embraced his position and caught to what labored.
Choices to make …
Three Huskies — Solo Ball, Alex Karaban and Liam McNeeley — have professional professional choices forward.
Ball, a top-50 recruit out of highschool, made main strides as a sophomore and impressed NBA scouts. As UConn’s main scorer, he shot effectively from deep and created off the bounce. He is seemingly on the first-round bubble and can need to check the waters.
Karaban, who examined the waters final spring, is probably going to take action once more. A little bit of a tweener on the NBA degree, the All-Large East ahead faces a tricky alternative. One other school season could not change how the NBA sees him — however returning may cement his place as a UConn legend and get him a fairly good NIL bundle.
McNeeley is probably going gone. The previous five-star and McDonald’s All-American is projected by some as a lottery choose. At 6-foot-7, his measurement and taking pictures intrigue NBA entrance workplaces. Regardless of lacking time with an damage, he nonetheless earned Large East Freshman of the 12 months and third-team All-Large East honors.
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Isaac Trotter
Welcome again …
Simply weeks in the past, Hurley went viral for saying on 60 Minutes that fifty% of his staff — or extra — may hit the portal. Credit score to him for saying the quiet half out loud. Whereas Isaiah Abraham, Aidan Mahaney, Ahmad Nowell, Tarris Reed, Jayden Ross, Youssouf Singare and Jaylin Stewart are all eligible to return, the chances of everybody coming again are slim.
Retaining probably the most impactful gamers shall be key, and Reed and Stewart prime that listing. They performed probably the most minutes, made the most important influence and have the clearest roles shifting ahead.
A Michigan switch, Reed began only one sport however was extremely productive in restricted minutes. He is a powerful, environment friendly finisher and elite rebounder who can be robust to switch if he leaves.
Stewart, a sophomore from Seattle, would not have eye-popping stats however performs a useful position. He is robust, versatile, bettering as a shooter and adaptable in each large and small lineups. Protecting him completely happy — and on the roster — is a precedence.
Say hi there to …
Current success has paid off on the recruiting path. UConn’s incoming highschool class — Darius Adams, Jacob Furphy, Braylon Mullins and Eric Reibe — ranks No. 3 nationally, in accordance with 247Sports.
The very best-rated of the 4, Mullins is a McDonald’s All-American with elite taking pictures skill. At 6-foot-5, he is a bouncy athlete who competes onerous and assaults the rim.
Adams, additionally a McDonald’s All-American and top-25 prospect, is a talented combo guard who has confronted high-level competitors. He may see minutes in any respect three perimeter spots.
Reibe, a seven-footer from Germany, is the third incoming All-American. He has a powerful body and face-up ability that provides him a novel offensive ceiling.
Furphy, a four-star wing from Australia, rounds out the group and will give UConn one other succesful perimeter shooter.
Athletic large, versatile 4, level guard
Changing Diarra needs to be UConn’s prime offseason precedence. If Nowell returns, he may develop into that position, however he is nonetheless unproven. An skilled, ready-to-play level guard may make a serious distinction subsequent season.
Assuming Reed returns, he and Reibe supply loads of measurement — however neither is a pure rim protector or elite athlete. UConn may use an athletic large who can run the ground, end lobs and defend the paint.
Whether or not or not Karaban returns, including a stretch 4 is smart. If Karaban is again, he is a matchup drawback. If he is gone, UConn must fill a large gap.
With draft choices looming and portal motion inevitable, there shall be no scarcity of offseason headlines as Hurley reloads for an additional run.