National champion Dan Hurley already facing a rebuild at UConn

It's well known in sales that just about anyone can have a good day, a good week, a good quarter, heck, even a good year. The best of the best find a way to do win consistently, though, and that's the challenge facing UConn basketball head coach Dan Hurley just weeks after leading his team to the NCAA men's basketball national championship.  

UConn's 76-59 win over San Diego State and the Huskies' dominant run through the tournament is barely a memory, but Hurley is already having to think critically about the future of his program.

The problem? Turnover.

Guard Jordan Hawkins and big man Adama Sanogo are both entering the 2023 NBA Draft and not looking back. Hawkins averaged 16.3 points per game last season, while Sanogo was a superstar who averaged 17.9 points and eight rebounds a contest.

Tristen Newton and Andre Jackson Jr. have also entered the NBA Draft, but they've retained their college eligibility. They have until May 31 to receive feedback from NBA teams and make their final decision, but there certainly is an opportunity for them to leave. 

All of this creates uncertainty for Hurley and UConn, but he says it's all part of being on top.

"This is what elite programs face," Hurley said, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "They face players leaving early for the NBA. They face players going through the draft process, maintaining eligibility. Obviously, there's usually major staff changes, which to this point we're fortunate to be intact there. But it's a reality of being an elite program and that's where we're at. We're going to be dealing with this every year."

Basically, Hurley is saying that this is a good problem to have, and as long as championships are on the horizon, it's a problem he'll gladly take.

Of course, this process won't come without some hiccups.

"Everyone is just going to have to occasionally look up at the [championship] banner or the trophy any time that they start to lose patience and lose their minds," Hurley said.