UConn’s Dan Hurley Calls Out Duke, North Carolina for Ducking His Calls
In an unexpected turn of events, UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley has publicly called out two of college basketball’s most storied programs—Duke and North Carolina—for allegedly ignoring his attempts to schedule games. Hurley, known for his fiery coaching style and no-nonsense approach, expressed frustration during a press conference, claiming that both Duke and North Carolina had repeatedly dodged his calls and avoided scheduling any games with the reigning national champions.
The tension between Hurley and the two powerhouse programs reached a boiling point after UConn’s dominant run to the 2024 NCAA Championship, where they cruised to victory, proving themselves as one of the nation’s elite programs. Hurley, clearly frustrated, voiced his disappointment in the apparent reluctance of Duke and North Carolina to engage with UConn on a potential matchup, despite the growing stature of the Huskies.
“I’ve been trying to get in touch with these guys for a while, and they won’t pick up the phone,” Hurley said, visibly annoyed but still composed. “We’re the defending national champions, and yet, it seems like they’re afraid to schedule us. If you want to be considered the best, you have to compete against the best. I’m just trying to get us on the schedule, but they’d rather pretend like we don’t exist.”
Hurley’s comments sent shockwaves throughout the college basketball world, as the Connecticut coach has long been vocal about his desire to elevate his program to the level of the traditional blue-bloods. His team’s success has certainly warranted the recognition, but the perceived snub from Duke and North Carolina has struck a nerve with Hurley, who has a history of fighting for his program’s respect.
While both Duke and North Carolina have been dominating forces in college basketball for decades, their reluctance to face UConn has raised eyebrows. Both programs have long prided themselves on a tough non-conference schedule, but Hurley’s accusations now cast doubt on their willingness to embrace competition from a rising powerhouse like UConn. Historically, these programs have not hesitated to schedule games against top-tier teams, but with the Huskies’ recent ascension, some see their avoidance as a strategic move to avoid a potential loss.
Hurley’s claims were made even more pointed when he compared the situation to the programs’ past actions. “Look, they’ve scheduled games against lesser teams, so don’t tell me there isn’t space for us. We’ve earned our spot in this conversation,” Hurley continued. “But for whatever reason, they keep ducking us.”
The UConn coach’s comments were not without merit. In recent years, UConn has been one of the most dominant programs in college basketball, securing championships in 2024 and 2025 under Hurley’s leadership. Their robust recruiting classes and balanced playing style have made them an undeniable force, yet their schedule has lacked matchups with blue-blood programs like Duke and North Carolina, fueling Hurley’s frustration.
As of now, neither Duke nor North Carolina has publicly responded to Hurley’s claims, and it remains unclear whether any effort will be made to schedule a game against UConn in the near future. However, Hurley’s call-out has certainly put both programs in the spotlight, forcing them to consider their approach to scheduling moving forward.
For Hurley and UConn, the message is clear: they are ready for the big stage, and they want the recognition that comes with playing the best. Whether or not Duke and North Carolina will answer that call remains to be seen, but Hurley’s challenge has certainly added another layer of intrigue to the upcoming college basketball season.
