When it comes to college basketball, few programs rival the legacy of the No. 18 men’s UConn Huskies team. At a record of 7-3 in their current 2024-2025 season with an average of 85.1 points per game, and despite losing some prominent starters from last years championship team, the Huskies are once again proving that they’re not just in the game, they’re defining it.
Though they rank 18th in the nation, it’s not only about the wins; the 21-point average margin of victory, coupled with winning their last four games, shows that their team is firing on all cylinders.
The UConn trophy case has a story to tell.
Five NCAA championships and counting, facing other traditional greats at the time of March Madness such as Gonzaga and Miami, have made legends. The 2023 tournament was nothing short of a basketball clinic.
UConn didn’t just win – they dominated. The highlights of last season included stand-out and clutch performances, and a team that had real champion spirit.
Player Spotlight
Speaking of standout performances, let’s talk about junior Alex Karaban. The forward has emerged as one of the key players in this season, averaging 15.9 points per game and consistently delivering in big moments.
Whether it is in precision shooting, court vision, or leadership, Karaban embodies everything “Huskies.” He is not just one to watch; he’s a star in the making.
Donovan Clingan, who graduated in 2023 and is now playing for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA, was a 7’2” center who left his legacy with the team. Averaging 12.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in the 2023-2024 season, he was also a crucial player for the team.
He’s a shot-blocking machine, and has developed into one of the best rim protectors in the country due to his height, we can only imagine what he will do for the Trail Blazers. His continued development as a scoring threat will be apparent in the NBA.
Looking Forward
The next couple of weeks will define UConn’s season.
They took on the No. 15 Baylor Bears at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion, beating them 76-72, what should have been a high scoring, action-packed game had a unusually close score.
Then they return home for the Basketball Hall of Fame Series against their rival, No. 8 Gonzaga Bulldogs – a team that has always seemed to give the Huskies a challenge.
UConn also has a marquee game lined up against the defending Big Ten champions, the No. 11 Purdue Boilermakers. Once again, these games aren’t just about wins – they are about momentum as the Huskies head into the heat of conference play.
Whos Dan Hurley?
Even stars need a coach to guide them, and UConn happens to have one of the best. Dan Hurley is the mastermind behind the recent recovery at UConn and made quite a few heads turn this year by deciding to turn down an offer to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. Yes – the NBA Lakers.
It talks volumes that he remained with the program, with players, and with a legacy in the making.
Everything was not easy on the front headlines. Some controversy arose in January of 2024 with concerns surrounding NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals with key players, some critics argue that the balance of endorsements could lead to locker-room tensions.
However, Hurley has been addressing these concerns constantly, showing the team-first culture he built and dismisses any conflict.
The Hurley family is no stranger to the Huskey country, Dan’s brother Bobby Hurley had epic battles with UConn back in the 90’s where the Huskies lost a heartbreaker to Bobby’s team on a last second shot in the elite eight of the tournament.
Huskies Women’s Basketball Team
It’s not just the men’s basketball team that’s thriving in Storrs. The UConn women’s team, led by coach Geno Auriemma, keep dominating on a national level.
Paige Bueckers is not a name unknown, in her senior year at UConn, she’s for sure leaving her mark. The shared facility and fans, along with dedication to success, show why UConn’s basketball teams are known for their greatness.
With a roster full of talent, a top-notch coaching staff, and a grueling schedule ahead, the Huskies are set for another deep run in the NCAA tournament.
Fans are already looking forward to March, where UConn will look to defend their title and add another banner to the Gampel Pavilion rafters. Duke is favored to win March Madness, but UConn is always a threat.
The Attraction of UConn to Darien Students
For residents of Connecticut (and college basketball lovers) the University of Connecticut has never looked so good – academically and sports-wise. With a whopping number of 117 applications to UConn from Darien High School, it has reached the highest amount of applications from DHS than ever before. The excellency of this university has become known and is becoming more attractive every day, UConn has it all.
Graph of student applications to UConn at Darien High School over the years:
Go Huskies!
