Dan Hurley says UConn looks like best team in the country following Gonzaga win

Of the teams who will make the trek to Houston, none have dominated quite like the UConn Huskies. Head coach Dan Hurley has seen his team rip through their opponents, with Gonzaga being the latest on Saturday night. Never a close contest from the beginning — those in Las Vegas got to witness a blowout.

Those results are something we’re used to seeing from UConn. During the nonconference portion of the schedule, winning margins were massive and at some point, the Huskies looked like the best team in the country.

Big East play slowed Hurley and his squad down. But now staying away from conference foes, the Huskies are back to their dominant self.

“Just kind of got back to the team that we were early in the season,” Hurley said. “The Big East Conference is the best conference in the country. So, we went through some struggles but once we got out of that league, started playing nonconference teams again, we’ve been back to that team that looked like the best team in the country.”

All eight losses for UConn came against Big East teams. Seven were during the regular season and then Marquette in the conference tournament. Nonconference wins included the likes of Alabama (won by 15) and Iowa State (won by 18).

One Big East team does remain in the field, with Creighton playing their Elite Eight game on Sunday against San Diego State. UConn would not see them until the national championship. If Hurley has gotten to that point, he can prove they truly are the best team in college basketball against a great opponent.

Dan Hurley excited to get trophy, cut down the nets

Hearing the final buzzer is a great moment for any winning coach, especially when you will be heading to the Final Four. Cutting down the nets and receiving the trophy might be a better feeling though. Symbolic of all the hard work put in, those two mementos are cherished.

“I can’t wait to touch that,” Hurley said on the trophy. “I can’t wait to get to the ladder. This group deserves it. It’s good to get the real thing.”

Of course, the job is not yet done for UConn. He wants to add another trophy and piece of net to the collection next Monday. The winner of Miami–Texas will be the first opponent of the weekend in Houston. A tough test is ahead, no matter who the Huskies face.