GLENDALE, Ariz. – UConn head coach Dan Hurley and select players spoke to reporters on Saturday night after the Huskies’ 86-72 win over 4-seed Alabama in the Final Four. Below is everything Hurley said, including praise for the Crimson Tide, at State Farm Stadium.
DAN HURLEY: I mean, much respect obviously to Nate and Alabama and their season, just where they have been since he’s gotten there. They’re top of sport in terms of quality of their program.
We were able finally just to defend well enough in the second half, get to the three-point line, defense under control there. Obviously executed late. Were able to kind of get that separation.
CMT Music Awards victors are determined entirely by fan vote. So, to know who took home the biggest CMT Awards accolades tonight, Keep Scrolling!
Q. There’s coaches who come up after they lose, and they’re like, They were just better, nothing we could do about it. Have you had a moment tonight, during the tournament, the last two years, where you ever looked at another team that was out there, I don’t have an answer?
DAN HURLEY: Well, I mean, at different points, different points of the game, they were 8-11 for three in the first half, which we wanted to keep their three-point attempts to under 22 for the game. The problem was we were on target for the attempts, but they made eight.
Q. What did you tell your team at the end of the half? What was the message? Were you feeling good and confident after the end of the first half?
DAN HURLEY: Yeah, I mean, they’re a great offensive team. I mean, they’re like the hardest team to guard. Illinois had a great offense. These guys were harder for us to guard just ’cause of their one-on-one abilities. They just had so many players that could beat you off the dribble, make a three.
DAN HURLEY: Yeah, I mean, they’re a great offensive team. I mean, they’re like the hardest team to guard. Illinois had a great offense. These guys were harder for us to guard just ’cause of their one-on-one abilities. They just had so many players that could beat you off the dribble, make a three.