College basketball insider expects UConn to promote from within if Dan Hurley leaves

ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski sent shockwaves through both the professional and collegiate ranks with Thursday morning’s report that the Los Angeles Lakers are in hot pursuit of University of Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley. That news subsequently led to conversations about Hurley’s possible replacement with the Huskies. While there’s already been at least one big name tossed about, college basketball insider Jeff Borzello believes UConn’s coaching candidate will be closer to home.

“The likelihood would be that they would go for some continuity and promote from within,” said Borzello. “Now, whether that’s Luke Murray, I think, perhaps, the more likely option would be Kimani Young. He’s been the associate head coach, been under Dan since Dan got to UConn in 2018.

“And Hurley has mentioned both Luke Murray and Kimani Young endlessly in press conferences— how they’re rising stars, rising head coaches, complimented both for their game planning, their recruiting,” Borzello continued. “So, I think he has kind of planted the seeds for one of them to eventually take over. I don’t think anyone thought it would be in 2024. But, I think that UConn would lean toward the continuity angle and promote from within.”

Both Murray and Young were a part of the Huskies’ back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024. However, as Borzello mentioned, Young has been by Hurley’s side since the two came together in 2018. The former UTEP point guard was appointed to the position of assistant head coach in 2020 and has since held on to the title.

Given how highly Hurley has spoken about his two assistant coaches, either one could be in line position if he decides to head to the NBA.

College basketball insider tabs Auburn’s Bruce Pearl as ‘only name’ to replace Dan Hurley at UConn

Bruce Pearl is the “only name” to replace Dan Hurley at UConn if the latter leaves for the Los Angeles Lakers, according to The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman.

The Auburn head coach has been highly successful throughout his career. As Goodman pointed out, it would be a logical transition for the two-time defending national champions.

Goodman even went as far as to call Pearl a “no brainer,” compared to elevating assistants.

“The only name, here’s the only name I would go after, there’s one,” Goodman said on his podcast. “If I was David Benedict, I would take that swing at, you know who it is? Bruce Pearl. That’s the only one for me. He’s from Sharon, Massachusetts. He’s down in Auburn now. He’s done an unbelievable job.

“He’s been successful everywhere he’s been. He’s got the personality to match Hurley. If there’s anybody that could keep that fan base riled up to the level that Hurley has riled him up and gotten him going over the last couple of years, it is Bruce Pearl. So if I’m Dave Benedict, that’s the only name that’s the only name I call.”