UConn takes down No. 15 Syracuse at MSG for Hurley's first signature win

Jalen Adams (4), Christian Vital (1) and Tyler Polley (12) celebrate as UConn earned first win over ranked opponent since 2016, defeating No. 15 Syracuse at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by UConn Athletics)

By Vincent Simone (@VTSimone)

NEW YORK – Perhaps it’s poetic that Dan Hurley’s first signature win as head coach of the UConn Huskies came in Madison Square Garden – a building in which UConn has formed so many signature moments – against an opponent the Huskies have stared down in so many signature matchups.

Perhaps that’s just sports.

Hurley’s Huskies did indeed pick up their first eye-opening win of the season Thursday evening, when they unseated 15th-ranked Syracuse, 83-76, in the opening round of the 2K Empire Classic, thanks to a balanced effort in which five Huskies scored in double figures for the first time since February 2017.

“It’s been six or seven hard months together,” Hurley said of his early time with the program. “We’ve been getting after it pretty good and these guys have bought all the way in.”

Redshirt sophomore Alterique Gilbert, whose last two seasons have been cut short due to shoulder injuries which required surgery, flirted with a triple-double while posting 16 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Gilbert connected on four of five three-point attempts on the evening, including a dagger triple from well beyond NBA range that pushed the UConn lead to seven with just 2:26 to play.

“First of all, I’d like to thank my surgeon,” Gilbert joked after the game. “I just felt comfortable in myself. My teammates and coaches give me confidence every day I step on the court.”

Senior Jalen Adams followed with a trey of his own on the next possession to put the decision beyond all doubt. Adams matched Gilbert for the team lead with 16 points, and added eight boards for good measure.

“We’ve all got the right mindset,” Adams noted as the biggest change in the program since Hurley’s takeover. “Everything we do is to win, whether that’s off the court or on it. Once you’ve got a whole group of players and coaches all connected with one common goal, it’s just a whole difference in energy and vibe whenever we’re together.”

Senior forward Eric Cobb has been an unexpected bright spot for Hurley’s squad this season. After posting a career-high eight points last time out against UMKC, he broke out for his first career double-double on 13 points and 13 rebounds. Cobb’s first bucket of the night with 7:38 remaining in the first half broke a 20-all tie and came followed by a wave imploring the Husky faithful to make some noise. They obliged, and UConn never trailed again.

“Eric is a very skilled guy,” Hurley said of his forward. “He’s a really good big, and you saw the full display of what he can do offensively. Eric is a guy who can really catapult this year into some real things professionally, and he certainly looked the part tonight.”

Graduate guard Tarin Smith added 14 points and six assists, while junior Christian Vital rounded out the UConn scoring with a season-high 11 points.

Hurley’s sworn duty since taking over the reins in Storrs on March 22 has been to rejuvenate one of college basketball’s great bluebloods. UConn has posted a disappointing 30-35 record over the last two seasons. That’s a far cry from the success enjoyed even a year prior with a 25-11 campaign during the 2015-16 season. Oh, and don’t forget that last NCAA National Championship, earned just five seasons ago with a squad that finished 32-8 overall.

It may be a bit soon to declare UConn officially back from the brink, but Thursday’s decisive win over longtime Big East rival Syracuse surely awoke some warm memories in the hearts of Huskies fans. It also marked the first time the Huskies took down a nationally ranked opponent since 2016.

Hurley’s method of motivation is uniquely verbal, and while not made for everyone, it undoubtedly yields results. Hurley’s coaching record speaks for itself: 38-23 in two seasons at Wagner College, 113-82 with a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances in six seasons with Rhode Island. Now 3-0 in his first season at UConn, it has thus far been the perfect match at the perfect time for Hurley and his inherited players.

“It didn’t take that long,” Cobb said of the process buying into Hurley’s system. “From the jump, we saw where Coach was coming from with the intensity. It ran through the team and rubbed off on the players.”

“Having a great coach coming in to lead us, I just think it’s a perfect matchup,” Adams added. “His personality connects perfectly with a lot of our personalities.”

There is no telling how bright Hurley’s star will burn at UConn, but one thing is certain: he already has his Huskies on the right path.