- The Field of 68 Daily
- Posts
- A new Conn-quest?
A new Conn-quest?
Dan Hurley's squad is talented, experienced and seemingly has all the pieces in place to reach another Final Four. What would hold them back? Plus: Indiana's thrilling finish to a 3-game exhibition, more schedule announcements to know, and are freshmen headed for production jumps?
Mike Miller
August 12, 2025
In partnership with
Good morning! Thanks for reading the Field of 68 Daily, especially when you’re probably swamped with NFL and college football news.
Let’s get to what happened on Monday.
Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.
Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.
1. Connecticut’s got everything. Again.
Let’s be clear: Connecticut is loaded. And there’s a decent chance it’ll be the Big East’s best team … and maybe even make a Final Four run.
For those sick of the Huskies and Dan Hurley, that may not be welcome news. But as John Fanta and noted UConn superfan Rob Dauster discuss during Offseason Grades, even the haters have to admit that these Huskies have the goods.
Need more than just Fanta and Dauster? A litany of UConn features dropped over the last week, mostly because the beat writers got access amid a few scrimmages. Still, it all reads like a series of stories that gives the rest of D-I some envy.
Solo Ball always knew he’d return for his junior season (the NBA can wait) and is focused on defense, leadership and playmaking. He wants to be more than “just a shooter.” For reference: Ball’s a 41% marksman from deep. That’s a lofty goal.
Jaylin Stewart was penciled in as a starter last season, but it only happened 12 times. That’s motivation for his junior season, and that’s fine by Hurley. “I don’t think there’s a lot of guarantees for anyone. Earn your spot, you know?”
Freshman Braylon Mullins knows Stephon Castle set an absurd standard for UConn freshmen. But that’s his goal for this season. Be as impactful as the lockdown defender on that 2024 title team.
And big man Tarris Reed? “Last year I felt like Coach was attacking me. But then you really take a step back after the season and this season I’m like, man, that’s love. Like he really wanted the absolute most out of me. And when this season ends, whenever my college career is done, what Coach Hurley and the coaching staff has done for me these two years is like … (I’m) forever grateful.”
That’s just for starters, and doesn’t include the seamless fit provided by Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr at point guard, or the steady leadership of senior Alex Karaban. Or the deep, talented bench. The only missing from their back-to-back title teams is a 7-footer swatting shots. (Which was essential to those runs.)
UConn might have the nation’s best offense. And with a motivated roster and a motivated coach who can raise the defensive level from average to solid, well, we’ve seen how this story before. And it hasn’t ended well for the rest of the sport.
2. Indiana’s thrilling finish to its exhibition games
If this is any indication of how Indiana’s season will go, the Mike Woodson era will be quickly forgotten.
