RALEIGH, N.C. – Following a thrilling 67-59 victory over Oklahoma in the first round of the NCAA tournament, UConn coach Dan Hurley expressed his feelings as “normal.” The win marked the Huskies’ 13th consecutive victory in the tournament, sharing the record with the 1991-93 Duke Blue Devils for the longest streak since the tournament expanded in 1985. Hurley credited his team’s ability to keep winning despite facing close losses and heightened stress leading up to the tournament as a testament to their resilience and skill.
Throughout the 2024-25 season, UConn faced challenges that differed from their previous two championship-winning years. In the first half of the game against Oklahoma, the No. 8 seed Huskies held a comfortable lead but saw it slip away as the No. 9 seed Sooners mounted a comeback. With just over three minutes left in the game and holding onto a mere one-point lead, a crucial 3-pointer from Alex Karaban provided the much-needed cushion for UConn to secure the win.
Hurley praised his team’s toughness and ability to execute under pressure, attributing their success to being battle-tested throughout the season. As one of only three programs to win consecutive national titles, UConn is set to face Florida next, with the opportunity to advance to the Sweet 16 and potentially break the tournament record for consecutive victories. The Huskies’ matchup with Florida presents a chance to face off against one of the nation’s top teams and uphold the honor of competing against the last team to achieve back-to-back championships.