UConn Fast Break

The entire starting lineup from the 2024 national championship Husky squad is heading to Chicago for the NBA Combine. This felt like a good time to review the fellas’ mock draft projections, what they’ve proven in their time at UConn, and any pro comparisons we may have. With all these Huskies in the draft mix, we’re anticipating a busy few months following their workouts, the draft lottery, the NBA Summer League, and training camp for these UConn stars as they work to realize their professional dreams! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

After adding Tarris Reed Jr. to the roster out of the transfer portal, UConn has signed two more players expected to be immediate contributors: Liam McNeeley and Aidan Mahaney. With that plus the announced return of Hassan Diarra and the retention of every other underclassman besides the draft guys and Apostolos Roumoglou, UConn is once again set to be a national championship contender. In this episode, Aman and Patrick break down the additions of McNeeley and Mahaney while discussing the Huskies’ prospects for next season and beyond. We also discussed nicknames, managing five-star egos, and the masterclass in roster construction that we’ve been witnessing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

This time last year, we were wondering about the fates of Andre Jackson and Adama Sanogo while eagerly checking mock drafts for Jordan Hawkins’ name. All three ended up leaving, along with a couple of others, leading to concerns for the next season with so much turnover in the lineup. That turned out alright, so we know Dan Hurley and his staff can re-tool. But the rebuilding job will be bigger this year. This offseason, mock drafts have as many as five UConn players on them, including Donovan Clingan and Steph Castle projected as early lottery picks, while Alex Karaban, Tristen Newton, and Cam Spencer are seeing late-first and second-round projections. In this podcast, we discuss the possibilities for Karaban, who may have a stronger case for staying than we think. He announced he would be testing the NBA Draft waters shortly after we recorded. We also discussed the potential roles for returning players, the commitment of Michigan F Tarris Reed Jr., and other potential transfer targets. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies did it. They repeated as national champs. Once the 2023-2024 Huskies got fully healthy, it was clear they were the best team in the country. But the best team in the country doesn’t always win in March or April. This group took care of business with the Big East regular-season championship, tournament championship, and a dominant run through the NCAA once again. In the latest episode of the podcast, we discuss this UConn team’s place in history after two dominant performances in Phoenix to earn the largest cumulative margin in NCAA Tournament history and wrap up a 37-3 season. We also covered Kentucky’s failed courtship of Dan Hurley and what kind of future UConn has with Hurley at the helm indefinitely. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

It’s been said all year: UConn can win any kind of game and anyone on the team is capable of going off for 20 points. On Saturday night, it was Stephon Castle who tied a career-high with 21 while all five Husky starters scored in double-digits as Dan Hurley’s squad bested Alabama to advance to the national championship game for the second year in a row. The accolades, the accomplishments, and the “firsts” continue to pile up for these Huskies. What they’re up to is simply extraordinary and now they’re 40 minutes from wrapping up a masterpiece of a season. In this episode, Aman and Patrick break down the Alabama game and the sights and sounds of Phoenix/Glendale. We also briefly discuss the Purdue matchup. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

Illinois and its fans probably thought they were in good shape going into halftime on Saturday night. The game had been tied right before the break and they were giving the No. 1 team in the country as good a fight as anyone had thus far in the NCAA Tournament. They lost by 25. They tied the game with 1:49 left in the 1st half — nine minutes off the clock later, they were down by 30. In this episode, Dan and Patrick break down the Illinois demolition and discuss some of the special visitors who were watching alongside us in Boston. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

This UConn team is extremely good. It has one of the most dominant centers in the country, two experienced, All-American-caliber guards, a five-star freshman who can lock up the nation’s top scorers, and they round out their starting five with a 50-40-90 forward who started for last year’s national champions. It’s no wonder they blew past Stetson and Northwestern on their way to the Sweet 16. In the latest episode of the podcast, Aman, Dan, and Patrick discuss the continued excellence of Dan Hurley’s Huskies along with the rise of Donovan Clingan. We also addressed the allegations that “everyone expected” this UConn team to be this great, as well as the Big East, conference pride, and expansion rumors. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

We had a lot of fun at the Big East Tournament, didn’t we folks? The UConn Huskies sure did, winning all three of their games comfortably despite some slow starts and other minor challenges along the way. Their prize? The top overall seed and their first four games will be in ideal locations, though they can expect to see some decently challenging opponents. In this episode of the podcast, Aman, Dan, and Patrick discuss the NEW emerging greatness on display from the UConn Huskies, especially the Jaylin Stewart outbreak, Donovan Clingan’s dominant performance, and the excellence of the bench, as well as the East Region bracket and possible challenges within. We also took time to appreciate the drivers of success in Dan Hurley’s program, including the retention, development, and ability to bring in high-character players and coaches to be part of it. Enjoy! Recommended Reading: UConn plowed through the Big East field UConn overwhelms St. John’s in Big East tournament semis Kimani Young on his path to UConn and lessons from the climb This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

These UConn Huskies appear to be unflappable. If it wasn’t for a few injuries or an insane shooting night from Creighton in Omaha, it’s wild to think that a regular season with 28 wins could have gone even better. After 31 games, UConn won all but three, setting multiple program and league records along the way. Four players were honored on the Big East all-league teams and more honors are likely coming. In this episode of the podcast, we try to put all of this success in perspective while also discussing the Big East tournament path and why tickets to the postseason games are so expensive. Also, if you happen to be in New York City for the Big East Tournament, we’re co-hosting a happy hour event at The Landing Penn Plaza after the game! Members of our team will be there along with some friends, including a UConn alum on the leadership team at Barsys. This happy hour will be hosted in a lovely space right outside of MSG with great drink specials where you’ll have a chance to meet fellow Husky fans and learn about some cool new cocktail technology! Things get started at 3 pm on Thursday, March 14. The address is 1 Pennsylvania Plaza, NY, NY. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

In this week’s Fast Break, the crew ponders the meaning of Sunday’s historic home finale, where we saw Jonathan XIV’s final public appearance while the basketball team clinched the program’s first Big East title since 2006. We also covered the emergence of Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan as well as UConn’s potential path through the Big East tournament bracket, ending with a discussion on the upcoming Marquette and Providence games. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

A week ago, UConn men’s basketball took its first loss of 2024. The Huskies followed that with a big win over Villanova at Gampel. In their final home game on Sunday against Seton Hall, they have a chance to clinch at least a share of the Big East regular-season title before a tough two-game road trip to close out the season. This podcast episode covers all that plus UConn players’ potential for Big East postseason honors and NBA Draft interest. Given Dan Hurley’s disdain for mock drafts at this time, and what we know about the journey of guys like Andre Jackson, multiple Huskies can play their way into serious pro consideration depending on how the next few weeks shake out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

The UConn Huskies’ immense success is starting to feel like a burden. Will fans survive if nothing short of a championship will do? This podcast was recorded after the Marquette game and before the Creighton game. We didn’t break down the Creighton matchup but did discuss the final stretch of the season and the fact that UConn could lose a game or two (it looks like that prophecy already came true). We’ve had a little bit of a delay in editing podcasts lately, our apologies. We promise to be in peak podcasting and publishing form in time for the postseason. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

We had some technical difficulties in getting this episode out after recording, so our apologies. It doesn’t affect much but we intended for this to go out before the Georgetown game. In this episode, the crew discusses UConn’s recent stretch of four games in nine days, the fact that the team is an absolute wagon, and looks ahead to the home stretch of the regular season — the final six games should be a wild ride! Thank you all for listening! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

In an episode of the podcast that went a little off the rails, our crew discusses the Huskies reaching the No. 1 ranking, the wins over Creighton and Villanova, and a wide range of additional items including Big East road destinations, Marquette’s disappointing start, and whether UConn’s players are appreciated enough. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

The UConn Huskies are a well-equipped group. They’re talented, deep, experienced, well-coached, and sitting (tied for) first in the Big East standings through six games. Our latest podcast covers the resolve of this team to keep up its winning ways. This stretch without Donovan Clingan has become an opportunity for other guys to step up and for the coaches to develop new wrinkles in the on-court strategy. It may be cliche to say the team will be better off for overcoming this adversity, but that is the case here. The Huskies are poised to earn a No. 1 ranking despite notable injuries to two key players and still have room to grow. We also discussed the weirdly quiet environment in Hartford for the Georgetown game on Sunday, minimum wage, squirrels, and what we were doing in February 2009, the last time UConn men’s basketball was ranked first in the country. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

Enjoy! Photo: Ian Bethune This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

On the latest episode of the podcast, our crew runs four deep to break down the Kansas game, the Lawrence experience, and the Huskies’ dismantling of North Carolina at Madison Square Garden. Our conclusion: this team is really, really good. We expressed a deep appreciation for Cam Spencer, the hero of the UNC game and a spirit animal for the most rabid parts of the fanbase, and Tristen Newton, whose extraordinary play has warranted All-American consideration. Meanwhile, a lot of guys off the bench, including Hassan Diarra, Samson Johnson, and Solo Ball (starting in Castle’s absence), are stepping up in key ways. We also went around the Big East, looking through the highs (Marquette is scary) and lows (yikes Xavier, double-yikes Georgetown) of the league’s performance through non-conference play. Note: This was recorded before the Arkansas-Pine Bluff game so some stats referenced may be out of date. A technical difficulty prevented us from sending this podcast out earlier, our apologies. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

UConn men’s basketball has dominated the early schedule and even set an NCAA record along the way while also winning the Empire Classic at MSG by beating Indiana and Texas, comfortably. So UConn is good, great even. But… Stephon Castle is hurt. Donovan Clingan was hurt. The Huskies are still dependent on a lot of youngsters and they’ve yet to be tested in any serious way this season. They led for the final 30+ minutes of the Indiana game and wire-to-wire against Texas in those de-facto home games in NYC. That’s about to change. On Friday, a deep and talented Kansas team is hosting UConn at the historic Allen Fieldhouse. In the latest episode of The Fast Break Pod, we discuss the keys to UConn’s success thus far and we also previewed the matchup against Kansas and what this upcoming stretch, with ranked UNC and Gonzaga coming up, means for Dan Hurley’s squad. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

The UConn Huskies are 3-0 as they get ready to take on Indiana and possibly No. 19 Texas at Madison Square Garden this Sunday and Monday. But not everything is perfect in Storrs. Stephon Castle sat out the MVSU game with a knee injury suffered during the Stonehill game but not diagnosed until a day or two later, according to head coach Dan Hurley. Without Castle, the Huskies looked sluggish even in a big victory against the Delta Devils. It probably doesn’t help that big man Donovan Clingan only recently recovered from an injury as well. In the latest episode of the podcast, Aman and Madigan discuss the MVSU performance, who’s up and who’s down across the team, and preview the Indiana and Texas matchups while also checking in on some scores around the Big East. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com

Aman, Patrick, and Madigan hopped on the podcast to discuss the UConn men’s basketball season opener and updates on the Huskies in the NBA. In an expansive conversation, we cover Alex Karaban’s career-high performance, what we saw from the two new starters, including the debut of a five-star recruit, and the emergence of Samson Johnson. We also went through a few interesting possibilities for the lineup in the future. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theuconnfastbreak.substack.com