He actually likes UConn a lot. Has a pretty good relationship with Hurley. He grew up in CT and went to college in CT. Maybe he's doing the Donny Marshall thing where he doesn't want to look like a homer.
I say that because, iirc, he was late to the party both championship years. But yes, I don't see any animosity at all.
Went to WestConn and lives in Trumbull but thought he was from VT.
Looks like you're right.
"...also, Tarris Reed Jr...." LOLMatt Norlander has UConn at #6 in his preseason Top 100 and 1.
6. Connecticut
A high-profile regression to the mean played out in a turbulent, humbling five-month marathon for Dan Hurley's program in 2024-25. We were all reminded how hard it is for college basketball teams to stay elite, particularly with national championship aspirations, three years in a row. Connecticut went 24-11, earned a No. 8 seed and was knocked from the mountaintop. (For more on this, check out my column from earlier this week on Hurley and his atonement for bad behavior.)
But I don't see a repeat of that performance. EvanMiya.com rates UConn with four "elite" 3-point shooters, matching Purdue, Oklahoma and Virginia for the most in college hoops. The best of them should be junior 2-man Solo Ball, who sank 99 of his 239 treys last season (41.4%) and is equipped to be one of the best give-you-a-boost shooters in the country. He'll be set up by Georgia transfer Silas Demary, a tough and big point guard who will ease the concerns UConn faced with its backcourt a season ago. Those two will play with freshman Braylon Mullins, who won't face the pressure of having to be as good as Liam McNeeley a season ago but should nevertheless find a nice role by league play. Alex Karaban's back for his senior season as well. Literally no team in the country has a player with his winning pedigree and the ups and downs to endear him to a crucial leadership role. Tarris Reed Jr. is also back and could grow into a top-10 big in the sport. I like the Huskies to take the Big East for the third time in four years.
College basketball rankings: Houston, Purdue, Kentucky, Duke and more headline 2025-26 Top 100 And 1 teams
You ready for the season? Not until you comb through Matt Norlander's annual, ultimate team ranking guidewww.cbssports.com
Tarris Reed Jr. is also back and could grow into a top-10 big in the sport. I like the Huskies to take the Big East for the third time in four years.
All 4 of these teams won’t make the final four.
I agree. Besides, it's good form to finish big.
UConn revealed at #2:
