Demary’s omission from Cousy Award watch list does not obscure his value or importance to UConn entering regular season stretch drive

Silas Demary, Jr. may not have made midseason Top 10 watch list for Bob Cousy Award, but UConn point guard is still indispensable to Huskies’ offense amid 22-1 start. (Photo by Yahoo Sports)

HARTFORD, Conn. — After Silas Demary, Jr. turned in yet another stellar performance at the helm of UConn’s offense in a commanding win, Dan Hurley — as the coach is wont to do when he feels his players are not getting the respect they deserve — took to the pulpit.

When informed that Demary did not make the midseason watch list for the Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the country’s best point guard, the coach made an impassioned defense of his floor general.

“I really am not aware, but now I’m aware,” Hurley said. “I don’t know who’s on there, there’s obviously a lot of deserving players. But we’re one of the best teams in the country this year. We’ve played to it. Obviously, our resume says what our resume says.”

“(Demary’s) played at an incredibly high level. I guess what hurts our players in these types of situations is the balance. I guess there’s ten point guards better than him?”

Hurley has overseen one of his point guards earn the Cousy Award in the past, as it was bestowed upon Tristen Newton in 2024 shortly before UConn defended its national championship. Ironically, Demary has drawn comparisons to Newton in his first year as a Husky, particularly for his two-way play and full-court defense.

“I think the most important thing with Silas is he’s the quarterback of a team that’s got a chance to win some things this year,” Hurley continued. “He’s playing his way into becoming an NBA player. So yeah, I don’t know. Right now, I know he’s getting the attention of a lot of NBA teams, and again, I don’t know the other ten players and I’m not gonna take shots at them. But yeah, that’s bullshit. That’s just total bullshit.”

Demary, who led the Huskies with 17 points and eight assists in Tuesday’s 92-60 win over Xavier, downplayed the significance of the honor. Instead, he remains focused on the bigger picture and task at hand as UConn, ranked third in the country at 22-1 and winners of 18 straight games, prepares for its next challenge Friday at St. John’s.

“That didn’t really drive my day,” he said of whether the perceived snub played into his effort. “That’s an individual award and that’s something I’m not really worried about. I think the end goal is winning the national championship, and I think if I can come here and just do what I need to do with my teammates, and we play hard every night, that everything else will take care of itself. Those individual awards, I’m not too worried about. I’m more of a team guy, so it wasn’t really a problem. Just another day in the office.”

Demary has commented recently on regaining his own confidence, but on Tuesday, revealed a greater satisfaction in seeing his teammates win their confidence back, citing a responsibility to get everyone involved from his point guard spot.

“It’s a lot of fun to see those guys hit those shots and me delivering that pass,” he gushed. “Sometimes getting an assist, I get way more joy than scoring the ball. To set those guys up and see them make those shots, just to see them gain that confidence more and more throughout the game is a lot of fun, and I enjoy doing it.”

“I just think it takes a player time,” Hurley said of Demary’s evolution. “He’s the quarterback of a very talented team with a lot of weapons out there. It’s not easy to figure out how to get your own, how to shoot, score, create, get to the rim, get your own, but then also get Braylon (Mullins) shots, get Solo (Ball) enough shots, get Alex (Karaban) enough shots, get the centers the ball, get the guys off the bench shots. It’s not easy to be the quarterback of a team that has got the type of guys we have on offense.”

“So it’s taken him time to figure out, but while he’s done that, he’s changed our defense completely. He’s been just this incredible ball hawk.”

The growth is a two-way street, says Demary, who credits the patience his teammates have had with him as he adapts for forging the strong relationship on and off the floor while UConn chases a third national championship in four seasons.

“It’s a testament to us just being able to gel,” he said. “And I think those guys already being here and then them welcoming me, and going through the ups and downs with me struggling, I think that’s what makes our bond and our team who we are.”