“I screwed up”: Dan Hurley admits his mistake after Hassan Diarra inspires UConn’s comeback win

Dan Hurley had Hassan Diarra to thank for UConn's latest comeback win on Sunday, with the senior guard scoring 19 points in the Huskies' 87-84 victory over the Providence Friars. Hurley praised Diarra in the postgame press conference, admitting to reporters that using him as a substitute at the start of the season was a mistake.

Diarra came off the bench in the Huskies' first five games this 2024-25 NCAA season, with Aidan Mahaney getting the nod as the team's starting point guard. Hurley switched following UConn's 99-97 loss to the Memphis Tigers at the Maui Invitational, inserting Diarra into the starting lineup for the Huskies' game against the Colorado Buffaloes.

The move didn't pay dividends immediately, with the Huskies losing their games against Colorado and Dayton to conclude their campaign in Hawaii with a 0-3 record. UConn has recovered from that early-season skid, winning eight consecutive games to improve its record to 12-3.

Hurley attributed the Huskies' recent success to Diarra excelling as a starter.

“It would have made more sense to start him from the opener," Hurley said (Timestamp 9:18). "Just have him at that natural point guard position rather than put a square peg on a round hole. Trying to force that on Aidan."

“I screwed up the early part of the season there. Hass is the heart and soul of the team along with Sam (Johnson). Just the passion that they put into it.”

Hassan Diarra delivers for Dan Hurley in UConn's win over Providence

Hassan Diarra came two assists shy of recording his second double-double of the season against Providence, scoring 19 points and dishing out eight dimes. He shot 4-of-8 from the field, including 1-for-2 from beyond the arc. He scored the majority of his points at the charity stripe, knocking down 10 of his 11 free-throw attempts.

UConn Huskies guard Hassan Diarra (#10) looks to the sidelines during their NCAA game against the Butler Bulldogs on December 21, 2024 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo: Getty

It wasn't just Diarra who punished the Friars' defense. Five other players scored in double figures for the No. 11 UConn Huskies, who erased a 14-point deficit in the second half. Solo Ball dropped 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting.

Fellow starters Alex Karaban and Samson Johnson also contributed, scoring 13 and 10 points, respectively. Aidan Mahaney and Tarris Reed Jr. provided some much-needed offense off the bench, scoring 15 and 10 points, respectively. They stepped up in the absence of Liam McNeeley, who is sidelined with a high ankle sprain.