When UConn men’s basketball was establishing themselves in the old Big East, legend has it Jim Calhoun would hit every summer league in every small Connecticut town, leaving no stone unturned as he mined for homegrown talent. Calhoun knew in order for UConn to make a name for itself in a burgeoning Big East, the program would have to prioritize the recruitment of top local and regional players.
With UConn having recently restored its rightful place in the Big East, a similar hotheaded coach is following the same blueprint: reclaim your backyard.
“While I was considering whether I was gonna come to UConn or stay at Rhode Island, I was thinking deeply about what would be the approach in terms of putting a staff together, from a recruiting standpoint,” Hurley said.