Dan Hurley and Bryant have some history despite never having played one another.
The final game of UConn’s out-of-conference 2025-26 schedule was released Wednesday and like most, will not disappoint. Head coach Dan Hurley granted the Bryant Bulldogs a past wish, and the two teams will face each other on Nov. 23 with UConn as the host.
The reason for the excitement dates back to 2023. In December of that year, former Bryant head coach Phil Martelli Jr. threw some shade at Hurley, wondering why the Bulldogs weren’t worthy of a matchup against the blue blood Huskies. Martelli had been trying to schedule a game with Hurley, who instead opted to play Bryant’s conference-mate New Hampshire. It is clear Hurley has kept tabs on the program since. While Martelli moved on to become the head coach at VCU in April, Hurley is still looking to settle the score.
The Duke and Bryant comments back to back are incredible. Hurley has been on fire in the pressers lately.
I also honestly think UConn/Bryant is a lock to happen now just as a pure grudge match
— Dan Madigan (@dmad1433) December 2, 2023
The two teams have met just twice on the hardwood, but never during the Hurley era. UConn has grabbed the upper hand both times — both by double-digits. A 2014 matchup saw the then-defending champion UConn beat Bryant, 66-53, with Ryan Boatright pouring in 24 points. Then in 2008, freshman Kemba Walker added nine points off the bench in the 30-point win.
With the addition of Bryant, the Huskies’ non-conference slate is now fully loaded. Take a look here.
- 11/3 vs. New Haven (MTE)
- 11/7 vs. UMass Lowell (MTE)
- 11/10 vs. Columbia (MTE)
- 11/15 vs. BYU (TD Garden)
- 11/19 vs. Arizona
- 11/23 vs. Bryant
- 11/28 vs. Illinois (MSG)
- 12/2 at Kansas
- 12/5 vs. East Texas A&M
- 12/9 vs. Florida (MSG)
- 12/12 vs. Texas