UConn Survives "Rock Fight" Against Oklahoma, Faces Uphill Battle Against Florida
RALEIGH, N.C. – The UConn Huskies, fresh off a hard-fought 67-59 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, find themselves in familiar territory, yet facing a distinctly different challenge. Head Coach Dan Hurley, never one to mince words, succinctly captured the essence of the victory, telling CBS’ Tracy Wolfson that it "feels normal." And in some respects, it does. The Huskies, the reigning back-to-back national champions, have extended their NCAA Tournament winning streak to an impressive 13 games. That level of success has become the standard, the expectation in Storrs.
However, the manner in which they achieved this latest victory was anything but typical for this dominant UConn squad. This wasn’t the smooth, effortless execution that defined their championship runs. Instead, it was a gritty, defensive struggle, a "rock fight," as many observers termed it. This type of game, marked by offensive inefficiency and physical intensity, is not usually UConn’s calling card. But this time, it was their defense that propelled them forward, a notable shift from their usual offensive firepower.
"As much as our defense has plagued us throughout the year, it advanced us today," Hurley acknowledged, highlighting the unexpected source of their success. This victory, while crucial for extending their tournament life, exposed vulnerabilities that could prove costly against tougher competition.
Looking ahead, the Huskies face a daunting task. As an 8th seed, they will enter their second-round matchup against the top-seeded Florida Gators as significant underdogs. This is an unfamiliar position for a program that has been the hunted rather than the hunter in recent years. The stark reality of their situation, perhaps, explains Hurley’s reflective tone after the Oklahoma game.
There’s a sense of understanding, perhaps even acceptance, that this run might be nearing its end. "I think there’s honor in getting to the round of 32 and making someone put you down to end this run we’ve been on," Hurley stated, his words laced with a hint of resignation. He lamented the tendency for his personality, his "antics and viral moments," to overshadow the team’s remarkable achievements. “If it wasn’t for all my antics and viral moments there would be more focus on what we’ve accomplished. It’s been an amazing run.”
Hurley’s assessment of the upcoming game against Florida is grounded in a clear understanding of the Gators’ strengths. He sees in them a reflection of his own championship-caliber teams from the past two seasons. He recognizes their formidable presence in the paint, fueled by multiple skilled big men who dominate the boards. He acknowledges their perimeter depth, their waves of shooters who can light up the scoreboard. He sees their relentless execution and the aura of confidence that emanates from a team peaking at the right moment. In essence, Hurley sees a team mirroring UConn’s championship blueprint.
Florida, under the leadership of 39-year-old coach Todd Golden, possesses the attributes of a championship contender. However, they haven’t yet reached the summit. They haven’t yet hoisted the trophy. And perhaps, Hurley hopes, that lack of tangible proof provides a glimmer of hope for his Huskies.
"The championship pedigree is still there for us," Hurley insisted, emphasizing the intangible advantage that comes with experience and past success. "There’s a belief in the UConn jersey this time of year. Someone is going to have to put us down for us to go away."
The game against Oklahoma provided a glimpse of that resilience, that refusal to surrender. UConn struggled to establish a comfortable lead, watching as the Sooners clawed their way back into the game, fueled by the play of freshman guard Jeremiah Fears. But when the pressure mounted, the championship DNA within the UConn program surfaced.
With just under four minutes remaining and the game hanging in the balance, Alex Karaban, a key piece of UConn’s championship puzzle, delivered a clutch three-pointer that swung the momentum back in the Huskies’ favor. Earlier in the game, Karaban had hesitated on a similar shot, drawing the ire of Hurley, who emphatically instructed him to "shoot the (expletive) ball."
Karaban learned his lesson. "I wasn’t going to make that mistake again," he said. With 3:39 left on the clock, he saw an opening, recognized Fears closing in too late, and confidently launched the shot. It found the bottom of the net, extending UConn’s lead to 60-56, a margin they would not relinquish.
"When you play teams at this level, which is the best of the best in the tournament, the windows are tighter," Hurley explained. "You’re not going to get the perfect shot… We were on life-support and we needed one of them to step up and make some shots, and it was Alex."
The Huskies now advance to the next round, where they will face the formidable challenge of Florida. While most observers believe their journey is likely to end in the coming days, the victory over Oklahoma provided a moment of validation, a reminder of the program’s resilience and championship DNA.
After a season marked by "angst and suffering," as Hurley described it, simply reaching this point and securing a first-round victory held significant meaning. Even for a coach driven by an insatiable desire for perfection, the victory against Oklahoma, a testament to their defensive grit and unwavering resolve, felt like a worthwhile achievement. It may not be the ending they envisioned, but UConn is determined to make their opponents earn every inch, every point, and ultimately, the right to end their reign as champions. They won’t go down without a fight.
