Hurley: 'Not a lot of fire and tenacity' on UConn

UConn head coach Dan Hurley didn't hold back when comparing this season's roster to the one that won back-to-back national championships in the last two years.

"I think certain teams that you have, they need more from you," Hurley said, according to NJ Advance Media's Adam Zagoria. "I think when you have Cam Spencer and you've got Donovan Clingan and you've got guys like Andre Jackson, players that play with tremendous intensity and emotion and passion, you do less (as a coach).

"That's less of your responsibility as a coach. This team's personality, there's not a lot of swagger, and there's not a lot of fire and tenacity. ... So as a coach, you try to fill that void. So in years like this I'm probably coaching more intense because the team that I have their personalities and then other years, I can dial it back."

The Huskies have lost three of their last six contests and fell to No. 25 in the AP poll for the second time this season. They already hold more losses than they did all of last year.

Hurley's extra intensity could be why he's been in the media multiple times this season. He was caught on camera during UConn's Jan. 22 win over Butler telling an official, "Don't turn your back on me, I'm the best coach in the f-----g sport."

The 52-year-old also called out podcasts for saying "stupid shit" and had an outburst in December, announcing UConn will never compete in multi-team events again.

His antics have caught the attention of many analysts, but Hurley isn't concerned about their opinions.

"I would respect any former coach's private opinion or critique of the job I'm doing, but I really could not care less, (about the analysts)," Hurley said. "I'm not going to change the way that I've coached for the last 25 years of my life."

UConn is hopeful for the return of standout freshman Liam McNeeley Saturday against No. 9 Marquette. He's been out since Jan. 1 with a high ankle sprain.