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PHILADELPHIA — The warning comes from about every coach, every player each March — heck, in any sport as the stakes are raised as the games carry more gravitas — don’t look too far ahead.
Worry about the next practice, the next game, not what could happen down the road.
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Then there’s Dan Hurley.
The two-time national champion UConn coach seems to be reinforcing his classic brash ways by sharing his focus for a Sweet 16 game in the NCAA Tournament against Michigan State with the prospects of an Elite Eight matchup against St. John’s.
Just like any East Coast fan or gambler who filled out a bracket this season, Hurley can’t help but follow the lines in the East Regional and see what a Huskies’ win against Tom Izzo’s team could get them — a rematch in Washington with two-time reigning Big East season and tournament champions, St. John’s.
Coach Rick Pitino has the tougher task between Hurley and his Big East rivals — at least on paper — in getting the Red Storm past top-seeded Duke.
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Hurley, though, has a plea — the fanbases need to rally together for one night and root for their rivals so there is a chance for a fourth game this season between the schools, this time with a spot in the Final Four at stake.
“It will be a live building. It’s probably a little bit early, but obviously, I think we’ve got to support each other,” Hurley said. “It’s pretty brutal on Twitter, I think, and socials between our fan bases, but I think we have to try to come together Friday night against our opponent so we can have a bloodbath on Sunday.”
Hurley noted “it stinks a little bit” that two conference teams are set to potentially play in the regional final rather than in a Final Four.
St. John’s took two of three meetings this season against UConn, the second being a 20-point win in the Big East Tournament title game. The Feb. 25 blowout loss at UConn stands as St. John’s lone setback since standing at 9-5 as of Jan. 3, with the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dan-hurley-overlooking-tom-izzo-173547573.html
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Publish date : 2026-03-24 17:35:00
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