UConn HC rips into team despite historic first half

Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: UConn HC Dan Hurley rips into team despite historic first-half performance

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 3/22/24

Even though UConn crushed Stetson in its opening NCAA Tournament game, 91-52, head coach Dan Hurley wasn't happy with his team's first-half performance.

"Everything should be automatic this time of year," Hurley told CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson at halftime. "In this tournament, if you don't keep everything at the highest level, like automatic every possession, things go bad for you. So, we gotta grow up a little bit."

UConn is up 33 at the half. Dan Hurley isn't satisfied.

(: @MM_MBB_TV)pic.twitter.com/rJRrNNJrs8
— theScore (@theScore) March 22, 2024

The Huskies led 52-19 at halftime. According to ESPN Stats and Information, it was the second-largest halftime lead in an NCAA Tournament game in the last 20 years.

UConn's 33-point halftime lead is the second-largest NCAA tournament halftime lead in the last 20 years, per @ESPNStatsInfo. Gonzaga led Fairleigh Dickinson by 36 in 2019. https://t.co/rL7YfvfEy9
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 22, 2024

Why was Hurley disappointed?

Perhaps he realizes it was a clear mismatch, and his team will face better competition. No. 16 seed Stetson (22-13) was making its first March Madness appearance in school history, and the Hatters seemed overwhelmed. They shot an abysmal 15 percent from three and had 14 turnovers in the loss.

The Huskies are the defending national champions and are favored to win the title again, per FanDuel (+340). However, history is stacked against them. No team has repeated since the 2006-07 Florida Gators; only seven schools have accomplished this feat.

Hurley wants to make history, so he wants his team to stay sharp. The Huskies' championship chase will continue Sunday against Northwestern.

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