Huskies, Huskies, Huskies! The UConn squad is still on track for the NCAA tournament, but things aren’t as smooth as they were a few weeks ago. With eight losses and a fourth-place standing in the Big East Conference, the frustration and pressure in the Huskies’ locker room make more sense. But there’s one player suffering more than the others. Even Dan Hurley admits it.

On Tuesday night, as Dan Hurley’s Huskies took the floor against Villanova, it was a “do-or-die” moment. And boy, did they deliver. Trailing 53-39 with just under 12 minutes left, UConn’s season looked like it was slipping away. However, Liam McNeeley, refused to let that happen.

The freshman took over late, hitting two free throws with 1:42 left to give UConn its first lead since the opening minutes. Then, with 22.3 seconds remaining, he set up Tarris Reed Jr. for a clutch layup that all but sealed the win. Oh, and he also knocked down two more free throws to ice the game.

When the dust settled, McNeeley had dropped 16 of his 20 points in the second half, leading UConn on a stunning 27-6 run to complete a 66-59 comeback win over Villanova.

“We were down 14 with 12 minutes left, and, I mean, it’s do or die. We’re in a do-or-die situation, and you have to be desperate at every moment. And I think we were desperate in those 12 minutes,” McNeeley said postgame.

While McNeeley’s late-game heroics are impressive, UConn relying this heavily on a freshman isn’t an ideal situation. Even Dan Hurley admitted as much.

“He wasn’t playing well up to the point when we were down 12 or 14. But then, when he turned it up, we won by seven,” Hurley said. “I mean, he’s got more pressure on him than any freshman in the country—to play well, or else his team is not going to win.”

And Hurley is absolutely right.

Since the start of the year, McNeeley has missed eight games due to injury. Without him, UConn lost three times. His absence was felt, but since returning, his scoring touch has been undeniable. Even in a tough loss to St. John’s, McNeeley still left his mark. He led the team with 18 points and addressed the heated crowd postgame.

“A shot at Coach is a shot at the team. So it gets me fired up,” McNeeley shared after the game. 

No doubt, Liam McNeeley has been a key contributor for UConn in recent games. His performances have fluctuated, but he has consistently made an impact, especially in high-minute games. UConn’s primary offensive option, the freshman is averaging 15.1 points per game on 42.4% shooting. In the last seven games, his scoring has ranged from 9 to 38 points. His best performance came in a win over Creighton, where he scored a season-high 38 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. And it’s not just scoring—McNeeley has been an excellent rebounder for a guard/wing.

Despite averaging just 6.5 rebounds per game, he recorded double-digit rebounds in back-to-back games against Creighton (10) and St. John’s (11). Both were team-high performances. Impressive, right? But it won’t prove of use until the team steps up.

Dan Hurley holds out hopes for March Madness

At 18-8 overall and 10-5 in the Big East, the Huskies are still in the tournament picture, but it is nothing to celebrate and don’t have time to. UConn will be Madison Square Garden on Sunday for a showdown with No. 10 St. John’s, whom they have previously lost to this season. Another loss? It could push them dangerously close to bubble territory—something no one expected from the defending champs.

However, the Huskies do not have all that bad a schedule laid out for them ahead. St. John’s is a definite challenge to overcome, but unranked Georgetown, Providence, and Seton Hall, could offer an opportunity to build a momentum heading into the March Madness. “This team’s got to find a way to finish strong,” the head coach says.

Considering they have secured comfortable wins against two, paths looks better for the Huskies. Once into the tournament, Hurley believes they are patterned to up their game. “UConn starts playing really well in March. So, can we get on a roll here late, get some of that March magic that we tend to have here?” 

UConn did not make it to the top 16 unveiled by the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee last week. That is not a good sign for optimistic Dan Hurley. Hopefully, the next 6 games turn things around for them.