ESPN article by Jeff Borzillo - "How UConn prepared to chase its third title in four years"

[Marat]

How UConn prepared to chase its third title in four years

The pressure of expectation derailed the Huskies' bid for a three-peat. Perspective has them back in contention.

www.espn.com

Nice piece by Jeff . Its March, and they know UConn is ready.

 

[CTpessimist]

The best line:

“And the thing about UConn is, once we get out of that first round, we think we're supposed to win it."

Sad that we’ve always had to worry about that first round regardless of how good we were…

 

[RuffRuff]

The best line:

“And the thing about UConn is, once we get out of that first round, we think we're supposed to win it."

Sad that we’ve always had to worry about that first round regardless of how good we were…

A 16 seed should be a nice warm up. If ever the year to lock it in, this is it.

 

[Inyatkin]

The best line:

“And the thing about UConn is, once we get out of that first round, we think we're supposed to win it."

Sad that we’ve always had to worry about that first round regardless of how good we were…

You worried about Stetson in '24? If so you were the only one

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Sad that we’ve always had to worry about that first round regardless of how good we were…

Very sad, agreed. I remember not being able to sleep the night before the Chattanooga game in '09. Name fits.

 

[aceboon]

The best line:

“And the thing about UConn is, once we get out of that first round, we think we're supposed to win it."

Sad that we’ve always had to worry about that first round regardless of how good we were…

I think you speak for yourself...

 

[superjohn]

Very sad, agreed. I remember not being able to sleep the night before the Chattanooga game in '09. Name fits.

The first round has always been incredibly worrisome for UConn, hell the whole tournament has always been worrisome with very little success. It's a sad reality.

 

[drayenob]

You worried about Stetson in '24? If so you were the only one

Listen to Hurley at halftime of Stetson then look at the score. LOL

.

 

[Inyatkin]

Listen to Hurley at halftime of Stetson then look at the score. LOL

.

Point taken. Dan Hurley was the only other one worried

 

[connVA]

When I think of the three teams I’m most concerned about in the Dance, I’d have to say it’s Michigan, Duke, and the winner of the 16/16 play-in game coming out of Dayton.

 

[NJHoops]

We remember what a few people said at halftime against Iona in ‘23. If it was up to them, Hurley would have been fired mid-game! Broke the curse and didn’t stop.

 

[DRBackup]

The best line:

“And the thing about UConn is, once we get out of that first round, we think we're supposed to win it."

Sad that we’ve always had to worry about that first round regardless of how good we were…

I haven't compared UConn's record to anyone else in this regard, but actual major upsets in teh tournament have been pretty few and far between. And half of them haven't been in teh first round. At the start, UConn was the first round killer, not the other way around. Hurley is clearly referring to his own meager beginnings at UConn, losing as the favorite twice in the first round, that's all.

 

[JakeTheDog]

The best line:

“And the thing about UConn is, once we get out of that first round, we think we're supposed to win it."

Sad that we’ve always had to worry about that first round regardless of how good we were…

post/handle

 

[DRBackup]

Ah, AI is so awesome. Google's AI claims UConn is 22-4 in first round games. Problem is, it thinks they lost in 2000 to Utah State. I'm like, nope, they lost to Tennessee that year. So not sure the record, overall, but looks like only 3 losses, two of them in 21 and 22.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Ah, AI is so awesome. Google's AI claims UConn is 22-4 in first round games. Problem is, it thinks they lost in 2000 to Utah State. I'm like, nope, they lost to Tennessee that year. So not sure the record, overall, but looks like only 3 losses, two of them in 21 and 22.

We have lost 4 times in the first round in the modern era: 2008 (San Diego buzzer beater after AJ Price got hurt), 2012 (no-show against Iowa State), 2021, and 2022.

 

[gsmooth]

Ah, AI is so awesome. Google's AI claims UConn is 22-4 in first round games. Problem is, it thinks they lost in 2000 to Utah State. I'm like, nope, they lost to Tennessee that year. So not sure the record, overall, but looks like only 3 losses, two of them in 21 and 22.

UConn lost Tennessee in the 2nd Rd of 2000.