The UConn men's basketball team might not have clinched the Big East regular-season or tournament championships, but they've got plenty of reasons to believe they can still capture a national title. Standing courtside on Saturday night was Donovan Clingan, a towering presence at 7 feet, 2 inches, reminding the Huskies of past triumphs.
Clingan watched as the Huskies fell to St. John's in a 72-52 defeat at Madison Square Garden.
Despite the loss, his message to the team was clear: "Keep our heads up. This doesn't really mean too much moving forward now," as junior forward Jayden Ross relayed.
"It's in the past. We've got a bigger goal to work for."
Reflecting on the 2022-23 season, Clingan was part of a UConn squad that tied for fourth in the Big East standings. Marquette took the regular-season crown, and after UConn bested Providence in the quarterfinals, they were halted by Marquette in the semis. Yet, the Huskies shook off that setback, rolling through the NCAA Tournament with dominant victories, capturing the first of two consecutive national titles.
Fast forward three years, and Alex Karaban, now a senior, recalls those experiences vividly. Clingan has moved on to the Portland Trailblazers, but Dan Hurley remains at the helm.
The question is, can the Huskies replicate that remarkable run this season? Arguably, they're in an even better position.
Back in 2023, UConn entered as a No. 4 seed. This year, they boast a No. 2 seed, finishing second in the Big East and reaching the tournament championship game.
They're stepping out of Big East play with confidence, potentially eyeing a rematch with St. John's in the East Regional finals.
"The No. 1 thing we talk about is how we play better out of league," Hurley shared. "Our history shows we perform well in the NCAA Tournament."
Despite not securing a third consecutive national title, UConn made a strong showing last year, handling Oklahoma in the first round and pushing top-seeded Florida to the brink in a 77-75 loss. That battle-tested mentality is something Hurley emphasizes.
"We're confident in our ability to get outside this league's physical grind and find our rhythm," Hurley added.
Solo Ball, who committed to UConn during that 2022-23 season, sees the past as a blueprint for success. "It's about responding to adversity," Ball said.
"That '23 team showed how to bounce back from a rough January and win it all. It's motivation for us because we're in a similar spot."
Karaban, who has been a mainstay since his freshman year, shared his insights with this year's team. "That team went out and did it," he noted. "Now, this year's team has to prove that, too."
The journey begins on Friday at 10 p.m. against 15th-seeded Furman at Philadelphia's Xfinity Mobile Arena. Hurley is optimistic about the team's potential.
"The high seed reflects the great season we've had," Hurley said. "Now, it's about turning experiences into performance on the court."
With 29 wins under their belt, Hurley wants his team to carry themselves with the confidence of champions. "We need to play like a 29-win team," he emphasized, setting the tone for what could be another memorable run.