UConn Coach Hurley Rips Team's "Dreadful" Defense

Huskies have struggled defensively in recent games, raising concerns ahead of postseason

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley strongly criticized his team's defensive performance following a 91-84 home loss to Creighton, calling the Huskies' defense "a joke" and saying they've been "playing with fire" in recent games. Despite UConn's strong offensive numbers, Hurley acknowledged the team's defensive issues have been "brewing" and need to be addressed with just a few games left before the Big East Tournament.

Why it matters

UConn has been one of the top teams in the Big East this season, but their recent defensive struggles could jeopardize their chances of making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament if the issues are not resolved. Hurley's blunt assessment highlights the urgency to fix the defensive problems before the postseason.

The details

In the loss to Creighton, UConn led 63-59 with just over 12 minutes left, but the Bluejays responded with a 14-2 run, repeatedly getting to the free-throw line. Creighton shot 49.1% overall and 84.4% from the line, including 17-of-18 in the second half. Hurley said the Huskies have been a "165th-best defense in the country" over the last four games, adding that they've been "subbing people within the first minute, minute and a half of the game on blown assignments."

  • UConn lost to Creighton 91-84 at home on February 18, 2026.

The players

Dan Hurley

Head coach of the UConn Huskies men's basketball team.

Braylon Mullins

UConn guard who scored 25 points in the loss to Creighton.

Silas Demary Jr.

UConn guard who had 17 points and 9 assists in the loss to Creighton.

Creighton Bluejays

UConn's Big East opponent who defeated the Huskies 91-84.

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What they’re saying

“Our defense has just been so so bad. These last four games, and I think we've been around the 165th-best defense in the country. So, we've been playing with fire with this. Obviously, overall defense is dreadful.”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

“Creighton just went at us from a one-on-one standpoint for the team that really shares the ball. They're obviously their game plan was just to go at individuals that they identified that can't guard the ball. On 27 field goals, they had 10 assists. So, they just went at individuals. And that's what's been going on the last couple games. Teams are coaches are smart. They're targeting our guys that can't guard. And, if we can't fix that, you know, we're going to obviously have issues moving forward.”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

What’s next

UConn will look to address its defensive issues in its remaining regular season games against Villanova, St. John's, Seton Hall, and Marquette before the Big East Tournament begins.

The takeaway

UConn's defensive struggles in recent games have raised serious concerns about the team's ability to compete at the highest level in the postseason. Coach Hurley's blunt assessment highlights the urgency to fix these issues, as the Huskies' championship aspirations could be derailed if the defense does not improve.