UConn Fast Break

Not too long ago, just a few years back, the prevailing mood for UConn men’s basketball fans was fear.

Will we be okay?

Are our best years behind us?

Can it ever be as good as it was?

These were the haunting questions UConn fans were dealing with, most intensely from around 2016 to 2018, with a slight recurrence as Dan Hurley’s early years saw consecutive first-round NCAA Tournament exits.

Two years later, the “Hurley can’t win the big game” or “Hurley can’t win close games” boobirds have been shut up, as UConn finds itself in a much different position.

Back in the fall of 2022, even the most optimistic of Husky fans could not have anticipated what was about to unfold. The way the Huskies followed a dominant championship effort with an even more dominant championship season proves that something very special is occurring.

In this episode, the crew discussed: Updates on Huskies in the NBA, key questions for the squad heading into the season, and how to unpack all of the success of the last 24 months.

Enjoy!

Photo: Ian Bethune

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

We preview the NBA Draft from the UConn perspective, with our final takes on where the mock drafters have placed the fellas and some ideal landing spots for them. No matter what happens Wednesday night, it’ll be a good one for the program.

Enjoy!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

The chase for the three-peat is on!

UConn fans just survived a scary long weekend from Thursday to Monday with the news that the NBA was hot in pursuit of Dan Hurley. Rumors that the offer was for over $100 million added to those fears, but at the end of the day the man from Jersey City decided to stay close to home and keep building the dynasty.

In this episode, our crew discusses the drama, our feelings, and the meaning of an offseason where your head coach turns down the University of Kentucky and the Lakers.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

Good news everyone, Alex Karaban is coming back!

In this episode, we discuss the implications of the Massachusetts native returning for a third season in Storrs, including the possibilities for him, for his team, and for his NBA Draft stock.

This opens up some juicy lineup possibilities, from shooter-heavy small-ball to an extra-large squad with four guys 6-foot-6 or taller playing the two through five, and everything in between!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

The entire starting lineup from the 2024 national championship Husky squad is heading to Chicago for the NBA Combine. This felt like a good time to review the fellas’ mock draft projections, what they’ve proven in their time at UConn, and any pro comparisons we may have.

With all these Huskies in the draft mix, we’re anticipating a busy few months following their workouts, the draft lottery, the NBA Summer League, and training camp for these UConn stars as they work to realize their professional dreams!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

After adding Tarris Reed Jr. to the roster out of the transfer portal, UConn has signed two more players expected to be immediate contributors: Liam McNeeley and Aidan Mahaney. With that plus the announced return of Hassan Diarra and the retention of every other underclassman besides the draft guys and Apostolos Roumoglou, UConn is once again set to be a national championship contender.

In this episode, Aman and Patrick break down the additions of McNeeley and Mahaney while discussing the Huskies’ prospects for next season and beyond. We also discussed nicknames, managing five-star egos, and the masterclass in roster construction that we’ve been witnessing.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

This time last year, we were wondering about the fates of Andre Jackson and Adama Sanogo while eagerly checking mock drafts for Jordan Hawkins’ name. All three ended up leaving, along with a couple of others, leading to concerns for the next season with so much turnover in the lineup.

That turned out alright, so we know Dan Hurley and his staff can re-tool. But the rebuilding job will be bigger this year.

This offseason, mock drafts have as many as five UConn players on them, including Donovan Clingan and Steph Castle projected as early lottery picks, while Alex Karaban, Tristen Newton, and Cam Spencer are seeing late-first and second-round projections.

In this podcast, we discuss the possibilities for Karaban, who may have a stronger case for staying than we think. He announced he would be testing the NBA Draft waters shortly after we recorded.

We also discussed the potential roles for returning players, the commitment of Michigan F Tarris Reed Jr., and other potential transfer targets.

Enjoy!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies did it. They repeated as national champs.

Once the 2023-2024 Huskies got fully healthy, it was clear they were the best team in the country. But the best team in the country doesn’t always win in March or April. This group took care of business with the Big East regular-season championship, tournament championship, and a dominant run through the NCAA once again.

In the latest episode of the podcast, we discuss this UConn team’s place in history after two dominant performances in Phoenix to earn the largest cumulative margin in NCAA Tournament history and wrap up a 37-3 season.

We also covered Kentucky’s failed courtship of Dan Hurley and what kind of future UConn has with Hurley at the helm indefinitely.

Enjoy!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

It’s been said all year: UConn can win any kind of game and anyone on the team is capable of going off for 20 points.

On Saturday night, it was Stephon Castle who tied a career-high with 21 while all five Husky starters scored in double-digits as Dan Hurley’s squad bested Alabama to advance to the national championship game for the second year in a row.

The accolades, the accomplishments, and the “firsts” continue to pile up for these Huskies. What they’re up to is simply extraordinary and now they’re 40 minutes from wrapping up a masterpiece of a season.

In this episode, Aman and Patrick break down the Alabama game and the sights and sounds of Phoenix/Glendale. We also briefly discuss the Purdue matchup.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

Illinois and its fans probably thought they were in good shape going into halftime on Saturday night. The game had been tied right before the break and they were giving the No. 1 team in the country as good a fight as anyone had thus far in the NCAA Tournament.

They lost by 25.

They tied the game with 1:49 left in the 1st half — nine minutes off the clock later, they were down by 30.

In this episode, Dan and Patrick break down the Illinois demolition and discuss some of the special visitors who were watching alongside us in Boston.

Enjoy!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com