Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

UConn Prepares for Tough NCAA Tournament Opener vs. Furman

3/17/2026

50 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

UConn, led by Dan Hurley, UConn men's basketball coach, will face Furman in the NCAA Tournament's first round on March 17.
After a loss to St. John's, UConn earned a No. 2 seed in the East Region, a bracket Hurley called difficult.
Hurley noted potential matchups against Michigan State and UCLA.
UConn aims to leverage past NCAA Tournament success while addressing turnover issues identified in a recent film review.

History

Historical Context

The 1985 NCAA Tournament was historic as Villanova, an eighth seed, defeated the top-seeded Georgetown Hoyas 66-64 on April 1, marking one of the biggest upsets in sports history. This tournament, the first with 64 teams, reflected the growing popularity of college basketball and set a precedent for underdog success, influencing recruitment strategies and team dynamics in subsequent years.

1 of 2

Story summary

UConn, led by Dan Hurley, UConn men's basketball coach, will face Furman in the NCAA Tournament's first round on March 17.
After a loss to St. John's, UConn earned a No. 2 seed in the East Region, a bracket Hurley called difficult.
Hurley noted potential matchups against Michigan State and UCLA.
UConn aims to leverage past NCAA Tournament success while addressing turnover issues identified in a recent film review.

1 / 2