Dan Hurley has always had a front-row seat to NCAA Tournament greatness, and it seems that legacy is alive and well with UConn's Alex Karaban. The senior standout has now started in 16 NCAA Tournament victories, keeping his college journey alive with a clutch performance against Michigan State. His pivotal three-pointer and ice-cold free throws sealed a 67-64 win in the Sweet 16.
Karaban's achievements put him in elite company, trailing only Duke legends Christian Laettner, who holds the record with 21 wins, and Bobby Hurley, Dan's brother, with 18 wins. "I'm just glad that, with the decision to come back for this last year, he's been able to play as well, and his last kind of run has been fun," Dan Hurley shared.
"He's boosting his draft prospects and has cemented his status as UConn's most decorated player. That's no small feat at our program."
Christian Laettner, the quintessential Duke star, made an immediate impact from the 1988-89 season, reaching the Final Four every year and winning two national titles. His 407 NCAA Tournament points remain unmatched.
Bobby Hurley joined Duke a year later, quickly becoming a key player under Coach K. Despite his impressive run, he fell just short of Laettner's record due to an early exit in his senior year.
Dan Hurley reminisced about attending iconic Duke games as a high schooler, watching his brother compete on the grand stage. "I was in Denver for that UNLV game, the Laettner game, Indy for the UNLV rematch, and in Philly when Duke beat us at Seton Hall. In 2004, I sat with my brother for that unforgettable Duke-UConn semifinal."
The Huskies have a shot at making history, with the potential to win three more tournament games this season. This would not only give Karaban a third national championship but also surpass Bobby Hurley's win total.
However, standing in their way are the Blue Devils, as UConn faces Duke in the Elite Eight this Sunday at 5:05 p.m. ET.