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The UConn Huskies entered last season as the defending national champions—and as back-to-back title holders. However, the season didn’t go as planned, and the team struggled to find any consistent rhythm. Head coach Dan Hurley frequently went viral for the wrong reasons, casting a negative light on the program.
Hurley was seen bad-mouthing officials, talking trash to opposing crowds after games, and often drawing attention away from the team itself. He wants the upcoming season to be different—but to do that, he needed to reload.
The first step was convincing a key player to return, which he accomplished by getting center Alex Karaban to stay for his senior season.
“After deliberating the last few weeks with my coaches and family about my future, I've realized that my heart remains in Storrs, and I have unfinished business to chase another national championship with my brothers,” Karaban said.
Bringing back a reliable piece like Karaban is a major win, but adding talent through the transfer portal was also essential. The UConn staff addressed this by landing Silas Demary Jr., who was widely considered a perfect fit for Hurley’s system.
“Assuming this hits, Silas Demary is essentially a ‘built-in-a-lab-for-Hurley’ fit at PG for the Huskies. Everything they missed this year at the position (size, gets to the line, etc.),” Jeff D. Lowe wrote.
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UConn had been holding its breath as the former Georgia Bulldog tested the NBA Draft waters, but Hurley and his staff were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief on Monday morning.
“UConn's Silas Demary Jr. has officially withdrawn from the 2025 NBA Draft and will return to school next season, per his father,” Jon Rothstein posted.
This is a huge addition for the Huskies. Demary brings another dynamic layer to the roster as Hurley sets his sights on capturing a third national championship in four years.
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