Dan Hurley wants UConn's new weapon Aidan Mahaney to replicate two former Huskies' playing styles heading into the 2024-25 season

UConn head coach Dan Hurley has high expectations for Aidan Mahaney, a promising 2024 NCAA transfer portal signing.

Hurley has his eyes set on winning the third consecutive NCAA national championship. However, the departure of two crucial Huskies' Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer, could prove costly for the team.

Hurley believes the Saint Mary's transfer, Aidan Mahaney is the guy to fill in the shoes of Newton and Spencer. Speaking with media on Saturday, he briefed how big of a role Mahaney will play in the upcoming season.

"I think he's gotten through the culture shock of just what our workouts are like, the intensity, the competitiveness, the tempo, the pace, the no fouls being called, like everything that's going on, "Hurley told a reporter. "So I think he's a guy we just gonna turn him loose and have really attack offensively. We need him to produce the way Tristen and Cam did at those guard spots."

Mahaney, a 6 ft. 2 guard, committed to the Huskies in April. After graduating his high school from Campolindo High in California, he played two seasons at Saint Mary's. As a sophomore, Mahaney averaged 13.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists, guiding the Gaels to WCC regular season and tournament glory.

Dan Hurley's Uconn is ready for another title challenge

The Huskies have lost several star players from last season's championship-winning side ahead of the new season. Four players — Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle, Cam Spencer, and Tristen Newton — declared for the NBA draft and have been selected.

To fill the void left by their departure and reload the roster, Dan Hurley and his team have brought in a few promising talents. Besides Aidan Mahaney, the Huskies have added another transfer: Tarris Reed Jr. from Michigan. Reed Jr, a 6 ft. 10 power forward played 32 games last season for the Wolverines averaging 9.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.

Likewise, UConn also bolstered its roster securing a commitment from five-star forward Liam McNeeley. He initially pledged to join the Indiana Hoosiers but later de-committed and signed for UConn. McNeeley, a 6 ft. 7 forward is rated 98 by 247Sports. In addition, Hurley's team also landed a four-star small forward Isaiah Abraham.

Dan Hurley declined the offer to coach the Los Angeles Lakers in June and returned to UConn to UConn to pursue a historic three-peat. He also turned down an offer from Kentucky after winning the national championship in March.