As the UConn Huskies navigate the late-night rigors of March Madness, head coach Dan Hurley finds himself in an intriguing battle against the clock. Known for his early bird tendencies, Hurley typically starts his day at dawn in Glastonbury, Conn. But with the NCAA Tournament often slotting UConn into late-night games, he's had to adjust his schedule-and his sleep.
The Huskies' recent games have tipped off around 9:52 p.m., leaving Hurley with little time to rest. After UConn's Sweet 16 victory over Michigan State, Hurley confessed to catching just three hours of sleep.
"It's like cramming for an exam," he shared, attributing his sleeplessness to adrenaline and caffeine. Post-game, Hurley dove into film study, analyzing two Duke games before finally hitting the sack at 4 a.m.
Even during press conferences, Hurley is glued to his tablet, reviewing game footage. He humorously deflected suggestions that he was watching "Game of Thrones," explaining his intense focus on Duke. "I watched two games because I knew I wouldn't fall asleep until around 4:00," he said, outlining his relentless preparation.
Hurley’s film obsession is shared with assistants Kimani Young and Luke Murray, as they prepare to face Duke, the tournament's top seed. Duke's star freshman, Cameron Boozer, presents a formidable challenge, and Hurley is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation.
To manage his sleep, Hurley has experimented with various remedies. He ditched melatonin due to grogginess, opting instead for magnesium L-threonate, which he finds more effective for quality rest. With a more reasonable 5:05 p.m. tip-off against Duke, Hurley is aiming for a solid nine hours of sleep, hoping for a positive read on his Oura Ring the next morning.
As the Huskies gear up to face the Blue Devils in Washington, D.C., Hurley’s meticulous preparation and adaptability will be key. Fans can catch the Elite Eight showdown on CBS, where UConn looks to continue their thrilling tournament run.