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By Ernesto Cova
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The always controversial Dan Hurley has led the UConn Huskies to three title games in eight years with the program. So far, he's 2-0, winning back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024.
Now, even though he's looking at a Michigan Wolverines team that looks stronger on paper, Hurley's recent dominance cannot be overlooked.
That's why Duke legend Jay Williams believes that he could join a very exclusive club pretty soon. Talking on ESPN's "First Take," Williams chose Michigan to win, but he argued that Hurley could sit at the table with the best to ever do it if he pulled it off on Monday night:
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"I think Michigan wins this game tonight, but let me say this, guys: John Wooden won seven straight national championships. He won 10 in 12 years. Now, Coach K has five national championships," Williams said. "My pick tonight to win is Michigan, but if UConn finds a way to win this game, if Dan Hurley gets his third in four years, I can make a case that this is one of the most dominant runs that we have ever seen because of the climate of college basketball is completely different and it's extremely more difficult than it's ever been," Williams continued. "(A win) puts him in the conversation for some of the greatest coaches of all time."
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Truth be told, it's hard to disagree with that take. Granted, Hurley would still have a long way to go to catch Mike Krzyzewski and even more John Wooden, but this would make him a legend nonetheless.
College basketball is also very different from the way it was in the early days. The transfer portal and the NIL revolution have changed the entire college sports landscape, which, to Hurley's favor, might make it all more difficult.
Also, it's worth noting that Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg was pretty banged up after beating Arizona, and with UConn's Braylon Mullins red-hot three-point shooting, anything can happen in a win-or-go-home situation. Taking down Dusty May's team won't be easy, but history has shown that going against one of the ultimate winners of March Madness rarely pays off.
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