NEW YORK - For UConn's men's basketball team, turnovers have been the thorn in their side, according to head coach Dan Hurley. It's not about missed shots or defensive lapses; it's the turnovers that could derail their championship aspirations.
Hurley didn't mince words after Tuesday's practice, calling turnovers a "nightmare" for the team. It's a hard point to contest.
In two of their three Big East losses, the Huskies coughed up the ball 16 and 15 times against Marquette and St. John's, respectively.
They nearly let an 18-point lead slip away with a season-high 17 turnovers at Seton Hall.
When UConn protects the ball, though, they shine. They committed just five turnovers in a 32-point demolition of St.
John's, nine in a win over No. 4 Florida, and ten against ninth-ranked Illinois.
Currently, the Huskies average 11.6 turnovers per game in Big East play, ranking fifth most in the conference. The teams ahead of them are well behind in the standings.
"The majority are unforced," Hurley noted. "Whether it's guards, forwards, or big guys, we should be past making these mistakes. We shouldn't be dribbling into traps or making inaccurate passes."
As they prepare for their Big East quarterfinal against Marquette or Xavier at Madison Square Garden, the focus is on decision-making. Silas Demary Jr., a standout player and first-team all-Big East selection, emphasized the need for smarter plays.
"Sometimes, when teams pressure us, we settle. We need to be less robotic and make plays."
Demary has been a key player, leading the league in assists at 7.4 per game and ranking second in assist/turnover ratio. However, he's had his share of turnover-heavy games, including a nine-turnover performance in a loss to St. John's.
"The turnovers have been our undoing," Hurley continued. "We can't afford to give away possessions if we want to be champions."
UConn, with a 27-4 overall record and 17-3 in the Big East, missed a share of the league title with a loss at Marquette, where they shot 3-for-24 from beyond the arc and turned the ball over 16 times. Hurley, ejected with a second left in that game, acknowledged, "In most years, 17-3 is championship-worthy.
But St. John's edged us out.
Now, we focus on the next game in New York."
Senior captain Alex Karaban remains optimistic. "We've got great talent and coaching. We need to take it one game at a time and not get ahead of ourselves."
Karaban struggled in the Marquette game, failing to score a field goal for the first time in his 142-game career. Reflecting on the game, he said, "I passed up shots and wasn't aggressive enough. I've been replaying those moments, and I'm determined to learn from them and ensure it doesn't happen again."
As the Huskies gear up for their next challenge, the message is clear: control the ball, and the rest will follow.