It will be a banner night for the UConn men’s basketball team as the Huskies raise another national championship banner at Gampel Pavilion. With four starters from the 2023-24 title-winning team playing professionally, there will be some missing stars from the pre-game ceremony. The three-peat quest begins for the UConn Huskies against Sacred Heart on Wednesday.
Alex Karaban is the only returning starter for the Huskies. Veterans Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson will have expanded roles as the Huskies go after a third straight national title.
The UConn Huskies open the season at No. 3 in the Associated Press poll. Only Kansas and Alabama are ahead of the Huskies. All eight Big East teams that played on opening night came away with wins. UConn, Creighton, and Georgetown play their season openers on Wednesday.
3-Peat Quest Begins for the UConn Huskies
UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley and three of his players met with a media contingent that included the Last Word on Sports on Tuesday. Hurley said that he looks forward to playing in a huge season-opening event like the Baylor-Gonzaga matchup. However, it won’t happen this year. The first four games of the 2024-25 season come at home against unranked opponents. The BetMGM odds list UConn as a 35.5-point favorite in the season opener. Will the season end with the Huskies being the first team since John Wooden’s UCLA dynasty to win three consecutive NCAA Division I men’s basketball championships?
Get to Gampel EARLY tonight to see the unveiling of banner 6️⃣ 👀
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. pic.twitter.com/7Id5ziA0Y8
— UConn Huskies (@UConnHuskies) November 6, 2024
“We are chasing a dynasty,” Diarra told the media on Tuesday. “The last time it was done was with Wooden [teams] and that was a great dynasty, a legendary coach, legendary players.”
UConn To Honor Another Title Run
The UConn coaches and players made it clear that they have moved on after winning another national title. However, there will be some time to reflect on the remarkable 2023-24 season. Despite losing three starters to the NBA, UConn repeated as national champions. With a huge crowd looking on, the 2023-24 championship banner will be unveiled before Wednesday’s game.
“What we have done is not lost on us,” Hurley said. “We do turn the page quickly and we are always moving forward. We take moments – maybe 90 seconds – to enjoy this one. You can’t take for granted what we have been able to [accomplish]. It is not like we ignore it, we just don’t stay there for a long time.”
It has been a busy offseason. There was another trip to the White House. Recently, the championship rings were distributed. Now the fans get to celebrate with the Huskies.
UConn Veterans Aren’t Satisfied Yet
Diarra, Karaban, and Johnson have been a part of two national championship teams. Now, they look to help the Huskies to another title. They will enjoy the moment when the championship banner goes up at Gampel Pavilion.
“It is kind of the final goodbye, the final celebration to remember the season,” Karaban said. “At the same time, it is good for the new guys to see what is expected from this program and what the goal is for the team this year. It is going to be super exciting to see that banner. I know I am excited for the reveal and right after that happens, we will do everything possible to get another one.”
UConn Star Freshman Might Be Good To Go
One of the questions for UConn heading into the season was the availability of freshman Liam McNeeley
UConn coach Dan Hurley updates status of Liam McNeeley and Jayden Ross for the season opener pic.twitter.com/fFzFXQ9eUz
— Gavin Keefe (@GavinKeefe) November 6, 2024
McNeeley missed some time in practice due to a calf injury. McNeeley returned to practice and is considered to be a game-time decision. He is a key piece in the 3-peat quest for the UConn Huskies.
“Liam looks pretty good for us,” Hurley said. “He has been able to go live so he has looked real good. He has had multiple days at a live practice. We will see how he feels but he looks pretty good and well recovered.”
McNeeley should step in and play a significant role for a UConn team that will look much different this season. His veteran teammates don’t need much prodding to speak about his potential impact.
“He looks like he wasn’t hurt at all,” Karaban said. “He is the same person as when he first stepped on campus and he is playing at such a high level.”
Sophomore forward Jayden Ross recently suffered an ankle injury. Hurley said he is questionable for the Sacred Heart game.
