David Borges takes you inside the inner sanctum of UConn in Hurley’s Heroes

Veteran UConn beat writer David Borges shares Huskies’ reign under Dan Hurley as seen from his press row perspective in Hurley’s Heroes, available this November wherever books are sold. (Photo by Globe Pequot Publishing Group)

As the University of Connecticut’s chase of history and a third consecutive national championship has come to a close, the retelling of one of college basketball’s most recent — and among the most prolific — success stories is being brought to the fore from numerous angles.

Head coach Dan Hurley was first to recount the inside-the-ropes experience in his autobiography, Never Stop: Life, Leadership, and What It Takes to Be Great, released at the end of September. Weeks after Hurley shared the thrill of attempting a three-peat, while also revealing his journey to maintain his mental heath along the way, another account of the Huskies’ exploits and travails will soon be available, as seen from press row and the bevy of microphones and recorders in press conferences and locker rooms.

Longtime UConn beat writer David Borges chronicles the seven-year odyssey under Hurley in Hurley’s Heroes: UConn’s Return to College Basketball’s Elite, which will be available to purchase on November 4, one day after the Huskies open the 2025-26 season against New Haven. As one of the last remaining members of UConn’s once-legendary media horde from the Jim Calhoun years, and oftentimes the sole reporter who travels with the Huskies to every road game, Borges’ perspective is unequaled as he relives and resurrects the seminal moments of Husky history under the program’s current leader.

Hurley’s Heroes begins with an ominous scene-setter, the infamous Gampel Pavilion loss to Saint Joseph’s in 2019, shortly after Hurley started his second season as Kevin Ollie’s successor in Storrs. Prior to that game, the Gampel roof had leaked that morning, prompting the ever-superstitious Hurley to wish in retrospect that the infrastructure issues lingered on to postpone the contest after St. Joe’s scored the game’s first 14 points en route to an upset win. From there, the story continues with a closer look at the early years of Hurley’s rebuild, starting with his 2018 hire and UConn’s final years in the American Athletic Conference before rejoining the Big East in 2020.

The second part of Hurley’s Heroes looks at UConn’s years leading up to the first of two national championships, and the recruiting class of Adama Sanogo, Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson, a trio instrumental in building the Huskies back up along with the core of the 2024 championship unit, Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton and Alex Karaban. Borges also intersperses various figures between the segues to tell their own stories properly, such as Hurley’s well-documented superstitions, the promise of Akok Akok’s career before it was cut short, program icon Joey Calcaterra — dubbed “Joey California” by Hurley — and the coach’s own family, namely wife Andrea and younger son Andrew.

After the first championship, Borges spells out, in detail, the process of crafting a roster capable of repeating. Hurley’s recruitment of Stephon Castle, Solo Ball, Jaylin Stewart, Jayden Ross and Youssouf Singare to join the returning Newton, Karaban, Samson Johnson and Hassan Diarra; plus Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer, ended up creating one of the most dominant teams in college basketball this century. During the title defense, the recruitment of Cooper Flagg is also revisited in detail, with Flagg nearly choosing the Huskies before ultimately attending Duke. The story concludes with last season’s trials and tribulations, from the Maui Invitational to Hurley’s confrontations with officials, to UConn’s gallant fight and NCAA Tournament loss to eventual national champion Florida that Hurley deemed honorable for how his players fought.

Unlike the coach’s own tale, Borges offers a preview of what the upcoming season can be for UConn, mentioning the Huskies’ incoming freshman class of Braylon Mullins, Eric Reibe and Jacob Furphy, plus transfers Silas Demary, Jr. and Malachi Smith. The renewed optimism in resuming the role of the hunter serves as a fitting climax for a program looking to make an even bolder mark on the college basketball world.

A unique take as seen from press row, Hurley’s Heroes serves as a definitive guide to UConn’s resurgence and sets the stage for an interesting next chapter, whatever that may be or however that may play out.

Hurley’s Heroes: UConn’s Return to College Basketball’s Elite

Author: David Borges

Publisher: Lyons Press/Globe Pequot Publishing Group

Publication Date: November 4, 2025

Lyons Press/Globe Pequot link for Hurley’s Heroes

Click here to purchase Hurley’s Heroes on Amazon