“Dan Hurley vs Mick Cronin would feel families”: College hoops fans react after UConn HC’s animated rant mid game

Modified Jan 21, 2025 11:10 GMT

Creighton v Connecticut - Source: Getty — Dan Hurley in Saturday's loss to Creighton. - Source: Joe Buglewicz, Getty

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley continues to stay motivated amidst an up-and-down 2024-2025 season for his team's national championship three-peat aspirations. After edging out the Georgetown Hoyas, 68-60, on Jan. 11 for their fifth Big East victory, they would go on to lose by a tight five points against the Creighton Bluejays, 68-63, on Saturday, Jan. 18, in their home floor.

For the No. 19-ranked program in the nation that is looking to win its third straight national title come March, a 5-2 conference and 13-5 overall record may not be enough to show that they are one of the powerhouse squads heading into the national tournament — much to the dismay of Hurley who is known for his erratic and polarizing reactions.

In one instance during the defeat against Creighton, @cbbonfox posted a video of Hurley on Instagram, where he was once again animated during a timeout. He was seemingly using all of his reserve energy to try and motivate his players.

Due to his hyped-up demeanor and never-give-up attitude, the UConn faithful and college basketball spectators alike have since reacted in different ways to Hurley's timeout speech.

"Dan Hurley versus Mick Cronin would feed families," one user commented mentioning the UCLA head coach.

"He’d be fired by so many soft parents these days," another posted.

"Dude is crazy," a user said.

With all the reactions in regards to Hurley's antics, a good number of Huskies fans supported their main tactitian.

"Best coach in America!," one fan claimed.

"Love this guy," another fan sahred with clapping emojis.

"He’s the best!!!" one user exclaimed.

But, even with the firey speech from Hurley, the Bluejays went on to get their fifth triumph of the conference and broke UConn's 28-game home winning streak dating back to January 2023.

What was Dan Hurley screaming about in his team's timeout?

Dan Hurley was pleading to his players in an aggressive manner during the UConn timeout as Creighton Bluejays senior Jamiya Neal had the highest-scoring game of his career thus far. The Arizona State transferee went off for a game-high 24 points on an efficient 10-for-16 shooting. Hurley was quoted as saying in the video:

"Our offensive success early made us soft as hell down here defensively, and digging balls out and individual defense. We let Neal get going."

UConn will attempt to return to their winning ways on Tuesday, Jan. 21 against the DePaul Blue Demons on the road, where they will surely relook at their gameplan in the hopes of not repeating the same mistakes committed against the Bluejays.

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Edited by Ripunjay Gaba