UConn Basketball

After flirting with the possibility of declaring for the 2025 NBA draft, Alex Karaban has decided to return to Connecticut for his senior season.

Karaban announced on X his "heart remains in Storrs" and he wants to "chase another national championship" with the Huskies in 2025-26.

pic.twitter.com/B3icAijFHN

— Alex Karaban (@AlexKaraban) April 29, 2025

The return of Karaban means Connecticut will bring back three of its top four scorers from last season, and incoming freshman Braylon Mullins and Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr. will join them.

Alex Karaban is back and UConn is a 2025-26 national championship contender.

Silas Demary Jr.
Solo Ball
Braylon Mullins
Alex Karaban
Tarris Reed

Loaded lineup. https://t.co/BR2Qhjupiq

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 29, 2025

Last year, following the Huskies' second straight national title, Karaban declared for the 2024 draft while maintaining his eligibility. He ultimately decided to return to school.

Karaban was coy about staying in the draft this year when asked earlier this month if he was leaning one way or another.

Alex Karaban says his decision this time around is just as difficult as it was last year.

“I’ve been at UConn for a while and I just love this place so much. It is hard to leave places that you love, but at the same time it’s also my dream to go to the NBA.”

— Joe Arruda (@joearruda9) April 19, 2025

B/R's Jonathan Wasserman had Karaban going to the Chicago Bulls with the No. 45 overall pick in his most recent mock draft released on April 22. His pro comparison was Georges Niang thanks to his "off-ball shooting, cutting and defensive instincts."

Despite averaging a career-high 14.3 points per game in 33 starts last season, Karaban's efficiency went down from his first two years. He shot 43.8 percent overall and 34.7 percent from three-point range on 5.9 attempts per game.

Karaban did make an impact in other ways, averaging career highs in rebounds (5.3) and assists (2.8).

Being able to bring back Karaban is a huge win for head coach Dan Hurley. The Huskies went through a soft reset last season after losing Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle, Cam Spencer and Tristen Newton.

Connecticut still managed to win 24 games and make the NCAA tournament, losing to Florida in the second round to end its streak of 13 consecutive tournament victories dating back to the 2022-23 season.

The roster is once again stocked with talent that should have the Huskies back in the mix for a national title in 2025-26.

Darius Adams, a 5-star combo guard from the high school class of 2025, has decommitted from UConn, per ESPN's Jeff Borzello.

NEWS: Top-30 senior Darius Adams has decommitted from UConn, sources told ESPN. Was one of three McDonald’s All-Americans in the Huskies’ 2025 recruiting class. Committed to them last September over Michigan State and Tennessee, while Alabama also pursued Adams. pic.twitter.com/juxRsNm06w

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 19, 2025

The latest 247Sports Composite list has Adams as the No. 23 overall prospect in his class and No. 4 among combo guards.

Adams, listed as 6'5" and 165 pounds, attends La Lumiere School in La Porte, Indiana. Per 247Sports, he received 20 offers and made visits to UConn, Michigan State, Tennessee and NC State before choosing the Huskies.

Adams was one of four players who had signed a letter of intent with UConn. The other three players are 5-star shooting guard Braylon Mullins, 4-star power forward Eric Reibe and 4-star small forward Jacob Furphy.

The team is also welcoming a pair of transfer guards, Malachi Smith of Dayton and Silas Demary Jr. of Georgia.

The class ranked second in the nation before Adams' decision. As far as why that was made, Aaron Torres of Fox Sports Radio offered some insight.

McDonald's All-American Darius Adams has decommitted from UConn per @jeffborzello.

Since many are asking - its a depth issue

UConn is solid with Silas Demary, Solo Ball, Braylon Mullins and Malachi Smith in the backcourt

Huskies will be fine. Not a lot of minutes behind them pic.twitter.com/Sm2MFvPJ5J

— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) April 19, 2025

That may not be a problem at Michigan State, which could very well be a consideration for Adams after he re-opened his recruitment. Michigan State fan Andrew Cumbow provided good insight on the matter.

Also, a lot of times this stuff is finished before kids even decommit/hit the portal.

I wonder if Adams has already reached out to the MSU staff before decommitting from UConn.

— Andrew Cumbow (@ACumbow) April 19, 2025

Regardless, a superstar recruit is now available, and teams should be lining up to inquire about him.

Connecticut is tied for the longest winning streak in the men's NCAA tournament since the field expanded to 64 teams after its 67-59 victory over Oklahoma on Friday night.

Huskies head coach Dan Hurley praised the program's "amazing run" that began with the 2023 tournament.

"If it wasn't for all of my antics and viral moments, there would be more focus on just what we've accomplished as a program the last three years. It's been an amazing run, one of the best runs anyone's had," Hurley said after the win.

UConn has now tied the 1991 to 1993 Duke teams that won 13 straight games in the tournament. The longest tournament winning streak belongs to UCLA, which won 38 consecutive games from 1964 to 1974.

DAN HURLEY'S HUSKIES HAVE WON 13 STRAIGHT TOURNEY GAMES 🔥

UConn ties Duke’s 1991-93 run for the second-longest NCAA tournament streak ever. pic.twitter.com/1qeq3V7yb6

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 22, 2025

Connecticut's streak began with an 87-63 win over Iona on March 17, 2023. Friday marked the first time during this stretch that a game has been decided by fewer than 13 points.

The Huskies looked to be in trouble midway through the second half. Oklahoma took a 47-46 lead on Mohamed Wague's layup with 9:03 remaining.

Uconn immediately responded by scoring the next five points. Solo Ball's free throws with 5:43 left to play put the Huskies back on top for good.

The last team to defeat Connecticut in the tournament was New Mexico State as a No. 12 seed in the first round in March 2022.

This is a very different Connecticut team than the one that steamrolled the opposition in the past two tournaments. Hurley had to replace Tristen Newton, Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan.

Despite some bumpy moments during the regular season, the Huskies finished 23-10 entering the tournament. Things will only get tougher for the two-time defending champs from here, as they take on No. 1 seed Florida in the second round on Sunday.

The No. 8 seed UConn men's basketball team won a first-round rock fight against No. 9 seed Oklahoma on Friday evening in NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament action in Raleigh, North Carolina.

UConn, the defending back-to-back national champions, have now won 13 straight NCAA tournament games under head coach Dan Hurley.

DAN HURLEY'S HUSKIES HAVE WON 13 STRAIGHT TOURNEY GAMES 🔥

UConn ties Duke’s 1991-93 run for the second-longest NCAA tournament streak ever. pic.twitter.com/1qeq3V7yb6

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 22, 2025

This was an ugly game for much of the contest, with neither team finding much of an offensive rhythm or form. The two teams notably shot a combined 9-of-42 from three-point range while committing 25 turnovers.

In the end, the difference was Huskies forward Alex Karaban (13 points), who came through in the clutch in the closing minutes.

First, Karaban hit a huge three-pointer to put UConn up 60-56 with 3:40 remaining in regulation.

THE CAPTAIN 👌 pic.twitter.com/ON8Y70aGVw

— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) March 22, 2025

Second, Karaban connected on a clutch jumper with 2:18 remaining to give UConn a 64-58 edge.

Lastly, Karaban made a huge play on the defensive end, stuffing Jalon Moore's shot, which would have cut UConn's lead to 64-61 in the final minute.

This block from AK 🛑✋pic.twitter.com/aZD8bzl3tl

— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) March 22, 2025

UConn freshman Liam McNeeley's free throws then all but sealed the win.

The Huskies overcame some solid Sooner performances. Jeremiah Fears, a potential NBA lottery draft pick, scored a game-high 20 points. Moore added 13, while Mohamed Wague was clutch in the second half en route to nine points and 12 rebounds. His putback with nine minutes left gave Oklahoma a 47-46 lead.

Ultimately, UConn was too tough in the end, and Oklahoma was too cold from the outside (3-of-17 from three) and overall (32.1 percent from the field).

The Huskies also got some solid performances from Solo Ball (team-high 14 points, fought through foul trouble) and Tarris Reed Jr. (12 points and seven rebounds off the bench). Hassan Diarra also did a little of everything (four points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals).

Fans and analysts recognized the efforts of UConn head coach Dan Hurley, Karaban and the Huskies.

Dan Hurley in March Madness since 2023:

13-0.

Best Coach in College Basketball. pic.twitter.com/SagzOCr0b6

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 22, 2025

DAN. HURLEY 🐐

He hasn't lost a tournament game since March 17, 2022.

That was 1,100 days ago 🤯 pic.twitter.com/XaKlGMvIWg

— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) March 22, 2025

Dan Hurley. The Carpenter.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 22, 2025

I love Dan Hurley.

— Lucy Burdge (@LucilleBurdge) March 22, 2025

Put Alex Karaban On The Wall

— No Escalators (@NoEscalators) March 22, 2025

ALEX KARABAN WELCOME BACK pic.twitter.com/gQnLGtPMM9

— Storrs South (@UConn6thBorough) March 22, 2025

Alex Karaban with the greatest display of the clutch gene I’ve seen in years, he didn’t have a good game but he sure as shit showed that championship DNA

— Hurley-Mora-Geno’s Army (@HurleysArmy) March 22, 2025

Champions gotta show up when they gotta show up.

Alex Karaban pic.twitter.com/i5zbn9Ls17

— A🏀UConn🏀Sausage (@ScottCo39908318) March 22, 2025

UConn going all the way

— Yo (@gilescoreygood) March 22, 2025

If UConn can play defense like that and shoot normally there’s no beating them

— Aidan (@aidannellis) March 22, 2025

UConn will now play No. 1 seed Florida on Sunday at 12:10 p.m. ET in the second round.

UConn men's basketball head coach Dan Hurley isn't worried about the Huskies falling out of the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll.

"No one gets crowned in February," Hurley said on Monday, per Adam Zagoria of NJ.com.

"You know, there's no crowns handed out for for a while here," he added. "Obviously, in today's world there's going to be very quick reactions and all types of hot takes."

The Huskies, who have won the national championship in each of the past two seasons, own a 4-4 record over their past eight games and sit at 16-7 overall.

This included a 68-62 loss to No. 9 St. John's on Friday in which UConn blew a 14-point lead, faltering down the stretch of the second half.

Hurley's team is now out of the AP top 25 for the first time since the 2022-23 preseason poll (h/t Kels Dayton of the Hartford Courant).

The Huskies sat at No. 3 in the Week 1 AP top 25 poll for the 2024-25 season, rising as high as No. 2 before steadily dropping down.

Still, Hurley isn't concerned with the team's current placement and is focused on getting back on track for March.

"There's no crowns that get handed out on February 10," Hurley said, per Zagoria. "I know we didn't get any crowns the last two years in the beginning of February. So everyone's got to keep playing and, you know, all the big things get decided in March."

The Huskies have dealt with multiple injuries to key players this season. Freshman forward Liam McNeeley has only appeared in 15 games due to an ankle injury, while senior point guard Hassan Diarra has been dealing with knee issues.

The Huskies will attempt to start finding some consistency on Tuesday, facing off against Creighton. Tip-off is at 9 p.m. ET.

UConn head men's basketball coach Dan Hurley commented Tuesday after video of his animated discussion with a referee went viral on social media.

During the first half of the No. 19 Huskies' 80-78 overtime win against Butler, Hurley got heated with an official and appeared to say: "Don't turn your back on me, I'm the best coach in the f--king sport."

He was making his point pic.twitter.com/kfYOPMEmF5

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 22, 2025

Hurley neither confirmed nor denied what he said, but he expressed his desire for the spotlight to be on other coaches at times and not just him, telling reporters:

"I just wish they put the camera on the other coach more. ... I just wish they would show these other coaches losing their minds at the officials in other Big East games that I'm coaching where ... I'm not talking to officials; I see the other coaches as demonstrative as I am. But the camera, obviously ... I've created this for myself. I'm not the victim."

Hurley also said he was trying to get more "communication" out of the officials during Tuesday's game.

The 52-year-old Hurley is in the midst of his seventh season at Connecticut, and he has already put himself in the discussion as the best coach in the history of the program.

Hurley has posted a 155-63 record with the Huskies, reaching the NCAA tournament four times and winning the national championship in each of the past two seasons.

Before arriving at UConn, Hurley also had success as the head coach at Wagner and Rhode Island, going a collective 151-105 with two trips to the NCAA tourney.

Hurley's two national titles are the second most by a head coach in UConn history behind only the three won by Jim Calhoun, although it took Calhoun 25 seasons to win his third.

Hurley was both the Big East Coach of the Year and Naismith Coach of the Year last season by virtue of going 37-3 and winning a second consecutive championship, so it is tough to argue against the notion that he is the best coach in college basketball right now.

The Los Angeles Lakers thought highly of Hurley, as they pursued him after firing head coach Darvin Ham. Hurley ultimately decided to return to UConn and pursue a three-peat, which led the Lakers to hire JJ Redick.

Stephon Castle, Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer were all selected in the 2024 NBA draft, leaving Hurley with a much different team than the one he had the past two seasons.

Things haven't come as easily for the Huskies, which could partly explain his frustration with the officials, although Hurley has still managed to keep UConn in the top 25.

Since losing three games in a row early in the season, Connecticut is 10-2 over its past 12 contests, including victories over then-No. 15 Baylor and then-No. 8 Gonzaga.

Eight of UConn's past nine games have been decided by single digits as well, including a two-point loss to Villanova and a five-point loss to Creighton.

Hurley and the Huskies have a lot of work to do when it comes to reaching the NCAA tournament and winning a third straight title, but it cannot be denied that Hurley has helped UConn return to elite status among the college basketball powers.

A UConn spokesman denied that men's basketball coach Dan Hurley was told by school officials to "tone down" his behavior on the sidelines after the Maui Invitational.

The spokesman told CT Insider's David Borges a supposed meeting between Hurley and university president Radenka Maric "didn't happen."

Hurley is never shy about showing his emotions during a game, whether it's celebrating a big moment for the Huskies or arguing about an officiating decision. Even by his usual standards, though, the two-time national champion was in rare form during the Maui Invitational.

Kyle Boone of CBSSports.com was among those who thought the time had come for Hurley to dial his behavior back a bit and described it as a "festering problem."

"He berated officials, routinely violated bench decorum by breaking the boundary of the coaching box and making profane comments with numerous outbursts that could have—and should have—earned him far more punishment for acting inappropriate and unprofessional than the one technical he left Hawaii with," Boone wrote.

College basketball analyst Robbie Hummel also called Hurley's antics "embarrassing" and said the coach might be costing his team by going after the referees so frequently:

"For a coach of Dan Hurley's caliber... this behavior is embarrassing. His pedigree and record is so far above this. He can say whatever he wants postgame. He has to act better. It's pretty insane to watch" - @RobbieHummel

MORE:https://t.co/rrL3T1rLu7 pic.twitter.com/tIa4bhIade

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) December 3, 2024

UConn's 4-3 start meant Hurley's sideline displays were going to become a bigger story. The Huskies went from the No. 3 team in the Associated Press' Top 25 poll to almost falling out of the rankings altogether after going winless in Maui.

Then the reigning national champs went on an eight-game winning streak before their 68-66 loss to Villanova on Wednesday. Not surprisingly, Hurley has been a little less of a subplot amid the program's quest for a three-peat.

And based on Borges' report, this doesn't appear to be much of an issue within the administration, either.

UConn junior forward Alex Karaban was taken to the hospital after suffering a head injury late in the Huskies' 85-67 loss to the Dayton Flyers at the Maui Invitational on Wednesday.

According to ESPN, Karaban was placed in concussion protocol after he hit his head on the floor while getting fouled. Karaban went to the hospital for further testing, and UConn team doctor Robert Arciero said he was "optimistic" about Karaban's condition.

UConn began the season 4-0 and entered this week as the No. 2 team in the nation, but the Huskies lost three consecutive games at the Maui Invitational to Memphis, Colorado and Dayton, all of whom are unranked.

Karaban was one of the few bright spots for UConn in Wednesday's loss, scoring a team-high 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting to go along with three rebounds and one assist.

Through seven games this season, Karaban is the Huskies' leading scorer with 15.9 points per contest. He is also shooting an impressive 50.7 percent from the field and 46.8 percent from beyond the arc.

The 6'8" forward played a key role on UConn's national championship-winning teams in each of the past two seasons, averaging 9.3 points per game as a freshman and 13.3 points per game last season.

Karaban has become even more of a key contributor this season due to the departure of several key players, including Stephon Castle, Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer, who were all NBA draft picks.

Despite losing so much talent, head coach Dan Hurley resisted overtures from the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and decided to stay at UConn in order to pursue a national championship three-peat.

No Division I men's college basketball team has won three consecutive national titles since UCLA won seven in a row from 1967 to 1973.

UConn still has time to right the ship, but after suffering its third loss Wednesday, it already has as many losses this season as it had all last season when it finished 37-3.

If Karaban is forced to miss some time, it will make a turnaround even more challenging for the Huskies, and it will place an even bigger scoring burden on the shoulders of Solo Ball, Liam McNeeley and Tarris Reed Jr.

UConn will return home to host 2-8 Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday before a home clash with No. 17 Baylor on Dec. 4.

The officials at the 2024 Maui Invitational likely aren't going to get many holiday cards from UConn head coach Dan Hurley.

Hurley was issued a critical technical foul in the final minute of Monday's overtime loss to Memphis when he protested an over-the-back call against Liam McNeeley. That was surely on his mind Tuesday when officials did not call a potential over-the-back foul on Colorado as it grabbed an offensive rebound to keep a possession alive in the final 30 seconds.

UConn assistant coaches had to hold Hurley back from protesting too much after Tuesday's no-call, and the coach was surely even more upset when that possession ended with Colorado scoring what proved to be the winning basket in a 73-72 victory.

Hurley called Tuesday's no-call "more egregious" and "ironic," although he blamed his team's "dreadful" defense for the loss:

Dan Hurley postgame:

"Today's (no-call) felt more egregious. The kid pulled Liam McNeeley's arm down. I saw the replay of it. It's obviously ironic. But that's not why I think we lost. Our defense has been just, so dreadful. Just so dreadful." pic.twitter.com/V3iuN5ljnK

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) November 26, 2024

That he blamed the defense and not the officials for the end result was a change from Monday's outcome.

After all, he was asked if he believed his technical foul and the ensuing two free throws cost his team the game against Memphis since the Tigers won by two points and told reporters, "I think it was the s--tty calls. I would expect to come to play in an event, and I don't know too many back-to-back national championship teams that get that type of a whistle."

He didn't stop there and continued to criticize the officials in the aftermath of Monday's loss:

Dan Hurley's thoughts on today's officiating:

"I had a lot of issues with what went on. That over-the-back call... there was a Memphis player that made a half-ass effort, Liam McNeeley high-pointed the rebound, and for that call to be made... was a complete joke. I may have lost… pic.twitter.com/w5AxFsZF5d

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) November 25, 2024

Yet Tuesday's game felt different.

While an over-the-back call would have been a key development at that time considering there were fewer than 30 seconds remaining and the Huskies had a one-point lead, that one no-call didn't determine the outcome of the entire game.

Rather, UConn blew a double-digit lead against a team it was expected to defeat. Had it not taken its proverbial foot off the pedal and allowed the Buffaloes back into the game, the no-call wouldn't have taken on as much importance.

The Huskies also still had the lead when Colorado came down with the controversial offensive rebound. They still had the opportunity to get a defensive stop to clinch the win but instead allowed Andrej Jakimovski to drive the lane and score the winning basket.

Hurley's team also could have scored in the final seconds after Jakimovski's basket, but Hassan Diarra's three-pointer didn't fall.

The head coach himself recognized the defense that allowed Colorado to shoot 51.1 percent from the field and 56.3 percent from deep was a bigger problem than the officials in the outcome of the game.

Fortunately for the Huskies, they still have plenty of time to turn things around this season even with back-to-back losses in the early going.

The UConn Huskies men's basketball team has won two national championships in a row.

And the UConn Huskies men's basketball team has lost two games in a row.

Colorado stunned Dan Hurley's squad 73-72 in Tuesday's Maui Invitational matchup. It was a game in the loser's bracket, as the Buffaloes dropped a contest against Michigan State on Monday while the Huskies lost in overtime to Memphis.

COLORADO UPSETS NO. 2 UCONN IN A THRILLER‼️

The Huskies are just the second AP top-2 team in history to lose to unranked opponents on consecutive days 😳 pic.twitter.com/PoH4phb0nc

— ESPN (@espn) November 26, 2024

It seemed like UConn was going to bounce back with relative ease when it jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first half, but Colorado trimmed the deficit to eight by intermission and then battled back in the second half.

Andrej Jakimovski drove to the lane and hit a difficult shot as he was falling to the ground with eight seconds remaining to give the Buffaloes the lead, and Hassan Diarra's potential game-winning three-pointer on the other end didn't fall for the Huskies.

That crunch-time sequence also came after assistant coaches had to hold Hurley back when the officials didn't call a potential over-the-back foul on a key offensive rebound for Colorado. It was a particularly notable no-call since Hurley was issued a critical technical foul in Monday's loss when UConn was whistled for an over-the-back call in overtime.

A second straight loss for the reigning champions led to plenty of reaction on social media:

UConn is 0-2 in Maui. The gloss on this team has been removed.

The roster is not as talented as in previous years and people can see it.

Hurley is still a wizard, and his teams are really good by March, so I fully expect them to be better in a few months. https://t.co/wtGAm0zn3O

— Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) November 26, 2024

Dan Hurley deserved every bit of that

— Tar Heel Nation (@UNC_TarHeelFan) November 26, 2024

COLORADO DOWNS NO. 2 UCONN IN MAUI 🦬 THE BACK-TO-BACK NATIONAL CHAMPS ARE 0-2 IN HAWAII.

Colorado was picked 15th in the Big 12 preseason poll. Terrible loss for Dan Hurley and co. pic.twitter.com/8s5F2A9KLd

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) November 26, 2024

Hurley ... boiling ...

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) November 26, 2024

Dan Hurley in the bus back to the hotel. pic.twitter.com/ijP0igjIlE

— Mark Titus Show (@MarkTitusShow) November 26, 2024

If complaining about refs is art we’re about to get the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at Dan Hurley’s postgame presser

— No Escalators (@NoEscalators) November 26, 2024

No over the back call on Colorado.

Dan Hurley might have a thought or two about that call...

— Matt Zemek (@MattZemek) November 26, 2024

Dan Hurley's 'get back guy' has got to be one of the most thankless jobs in college basketball...

— Lee K. Howard ☀️ (@HowardWKYT) November 26, 2024

We’re a bad team, there’s a good team in there but right now we are a bad team

— Hurley-Mora-Geno’s Army (@HurleysArmy) November 26, 2024

The end result is UConn will now play in the seventh-place game in the Maui Invitational, which is surely not what it expected heading into the tournament. Even though it is a strong field with teams such as Auburn, Iowa State, North Carolina and Michigan State, the Huskies were the headliners.

And now they aren't.

Foul trouble was an issue for Hurley's team Tuesday, as Samson Johnson and Tarris Reed Jr. each fouled out down the stretch. Liam McNeeley (20 points) and Solo Ball (16 points) did what they could, but it wasn't enough in the winning moments.

Julian Hammond III and Elijah Malone each scored 16 points for Colorado, which improved to 5-1 on the season with a win that will resonate all the way to Selection Sunday.