"Aggressive, intentional, targeted": Analyst makes feelings known on Dan Hurley's non-conference schedule as UConn set to face BYU, and more

Coach Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies are coming off a disappointing year after two straight national championships in 2023 and 2024. While they lost in the second round this past season, they are still expected to be a contender in 2025-26.

As the offseason plays out, part of UConn's schedule has been revealed. Specifically, its non-conference schedule has been set and it will be challenging. The Huskies will face several top opponents, including BYU on November 15, Kansas on December 2 and Florida on December 9.

On Friday, a new episode of "The Hoops Capital" was released and analyst Mark Zanetto spoke about the difficult schedule for the Huskies next season.

"Talking about the best non-conference schedule of the Dan Hurley era," Zanetto said (Timestamp 20:18). "It's not random either. It's aggressive. It's intentional. It's targeted. Dan Hurley knows what he has. He has a team that is 100% going to compete for a national championship. He’s got a roster he believes in that is a retain-plus model."

"He retained who he wanted. He let go who wanted to leave. Fought for those that maybe were on the fence — i.e., someone like Tarris. And he’s got the credibility now to say, back-to-back national champion, took this undermanned UConn team to the brink of ousting the best team in college basketball last year, and losing in the second round. We want all the smoke."

Dan Hurley shuts down New York Knicks rumors

For the second offseason in a row, there are rumors that Dan Hurley could leave the UConn Huskies to take a job in the NBA. Last year, the Los Angeles Lakers were reportedly interested in his services. However, he turned down the Lakers and later signed a six-year extension worth $50 million to keep him as the coach of the Huskies through the 2029-30 season.

This offseason, there were similar rumors after the New York Knicks fired coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday. However, when speaking to the media that day, Hurley shut down the rumors with a quick response to a question.

"Not another summer of that," Hurley said.

Hurley also spoke about his excitement heading into next season.

"Two days into practice, not everyone is on campus, but we’re thrilled with the way we’ve been able to put it together," Hurley said. "Keeping the critical sophomore class together, keeping A.K (Alex Karaban), Tarris (Reed Jr.), too, those were big for us and then to address point guard in a major way, a big need area."

Hurley is heading into his sixth season as the Huskies' coach and will be trying to help the team rebound after a disappointing 2024-25.