Transcript
Dan Hurley Joined Postgame to Discuss The Concept of "Fun" 😅 + Highlights From Big East Action 🏀
From TNT Sports US · Episode page · Watch on YouTube
· 20 min · 4,010 words · 59 timestamped sections
This is the full, timestamped transcript of "Dan Hurley Joined Postgame to Discuss The Concept of "Fun" 😅 + Highlights From Big East Action 🏀", an episode of TNT Sports US published January 11, 2026 (20 min, about 4,010 words). It mentions 26 people, works and ideas, including Caden Lewis, Danny Hurley, Adam Lefkoe, Big East, Marquette.
What this episode is about
Dan Hurley discusses the importance of "fun" in college basketball while reflecting on an exciting matchup between Villanova and Marquette, highlighting key performances and plays that contributed to Villanova's narrow victory. The analysis also touches on standout players and their impact on the game amid the broader context of Big East action.
Key takeaways
- Villanova's grit shines brighter than their shooting; sometimes victory wears a cape instead of sneakers.
- Caden Lewis exemplifies the evolution of the modern point guard, juggling flashy play with unselfish maturity.
- Marquette's season is a stark reminder: in sports, even talent-rich teams can find themselves on a slippery slope.
- When low shooting percentage meets high hustle, expect gutty wins—Villanova proved tough can outplay pretty.
- In college basketball, every game is a soap opera; yesterday's star can be today's cautionary tale.
Who speaks in this episode?
- Adam Lefkoe (Host) · 6 min speaking
- Jalen Rose (Guest) · 5 min speaking
- Jamal Mashburn (Guest) · 4 min speaking
- Dan Hurley (Guest) · 5 min speaking
- Bruce Pearl (Guest) · 1 min speaking
What is discussed, and when
- – 3:00: Caden Lewis, Nigel James Jr, Adam Lefkoe, Big East
- – 6:00: Marquette, Caden Lewis, Big East, Transfer Portal
- – 9:00: UConn Huskies, Danny Hurley, Big East, Adam Lefkoe
- – 12:00: Jamal Mashburn, Transfer Portal, Big East, Jalen Rose
- – 18:00: Big East, Seton Hall, Kevin Willard, Leo Topolice
- – 19:44: Danny Hurley, Seton Hall
Notable quotes from "Dan Hurley Joined Postgame to Discuss The Concept of "Fun" 😅 + Highlights From Big East Action 🏀"
IT WAS NIGEL JAMES JR GETTING THE STEAL OFF OF CADEN LEWIS. TAKING IT THE OTHER WAY DUNKING IT MUST HAVE BEEN RELATED.
about Caden Lewis · atTHAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO MAKE THEM MAYBE SECOND THE BIG EAST.
about Big East · atIT'S NOT BEEN A SPECIAL YEAR FOR MARQUETTE.
about Marquette · atCAN'T COACH EFFORT. I THINK SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO. MY JOB AS A COACH IS MAKE SURE THAT MY TEAM PLAYS HARDER THAN YOUR TEAM. THESE KIDS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO.
about Bruce Pearl · atCOACHING ENERGY AND EXPERIENCE. THAT'S THE UCONN HUSKIES THEY TOOK ON DEPAUL. THEY GOT IT IN SPADES IN BOTH CATEGORIES. NUMBER FOUR RANKED TEAM IN THE.
about UConn Huskies · atTHEIR DAILY HABITS OF HOW MUCH THEY PRACTICE AND TAKE ON DANNY HURLEY'S PERSONALITY AS WELL.
about Danny Hurley · atMY QUESTION IS YOU BUILT A CHAMPIONSHIP CULTURE THERE WITH THE ADVENT OF THE TRANSFER PORTAL AND RECRUITING YOUNGER KIDS, WHAT CORE VALUES ARE YOU SEARCHING FOR WHEN YOU.
about Jamal Mashburn · atWELL SETON HALL FOR ME BUT ALSO TO I WANT TO GIVE SOME LOVE EVEN THOUGH THEY'VE LOST SOME GAMES THEY'VE BEEN IN.
about Seton Hall · at
Who and what is mentioned in this episode?
People
- Caden Lewis — Person · Core topic (featured player) · 5 mentions · first at
Central player in the Villanova win; praised for maturity, playmaking, and decision to decommit from Kentucky to develop at Villanova. - Danny Hurley — Person · Interview guest (coach) / referenced leader · 4 mentions · first at
Interviewed about UConn culture, transfer portal values, and player development; also referenced in coach-of-the-year context and Seton Hall history. - Adam Lefkoe — Person · Host · 2 mentions · first at
Leads the TNT postgame show, sets topics, transitions between games, and interviews Danny Hurley.ADAM LEFKOE, JALEN ROSE, JAMAL MASHBURN, COACH BRUCE PEARL AND COACH. I GOT TO SAY, WE APPRECIATED YOUR.
- Bruce Pearl — Person · Analyst (panelist) / interviewer · 2 mentions · first at
On the studio panel, provides coaching perspective, asks Hurley about Silas DeMary, and discusses coaching/receiving coaching. - Nigel James Jr — Person · Core topic (featured player) · 2 mentions · first at
Marquette’s standout in the game (30+ points, seven threes, key steal/dunk); discussed as a tough NYC-style point guard and cousin matchup with Caden Lewis.IT WAS NIGEL JAMES JR GETTING THE STEAL OFF OF CADEN LEWIS. TAKING IT THE OTHER WAY DUNKING IT MUST HAVE BEEN RELATED.
- Jamal Mashburn — Person · Analyst (panelist) / interviewer · 4 mentions · first at
Provides player-development perspective, asks Hurley about portal values, and references personal connections (Kimani Young, PSA Cardinals). - Jalen Rose — Person · Analyst (panelist) / interviewer · 2 mentions · first at
Provides analysis (timeouts, leadership), appears in Hurley interview, and is referenced in studio lineup and green-room discussion.ADAM LEFKOE, JALEN ROSE, JAMAL MASHBURN, COACH BRUCE PEARL AND COACH. I GOT TO SAY, WE APPRECIATED YOUR.
- Silas DeMary — Person · Featured player (UConn segment) · 1 mention · first at
Highlighted in UConn-DePaul recap and in Hurley interview as a defensive upgrade and portal acquisition; discussed as a coach’s son.INCLUDING THAT LAYDEN BLOCKER RUNNER OFF THE GLASS. SILAS DEMARY UNABLE TO GET THAT FIRST SHOT. GETS IT OFF THE TIP, KNOCKS IT DOWN RIGHT BEFORE THE HALF.
- Devin Askew — Person · Referenced player (veteran/portal example) · 2 mentions · first at
Used as the veteran counterexample in portal discussion; credited for rebounding and settling Villanova late.REALLY SHOWED THEIR TOUGHNESS. AND THEN YOU LOOK AT DEVIN ASKEW AT THE LAST PLAY HE WAS THE GUY TO GET THE REBOUND. YOU TALK ABOUT GUARDS ON THE.
- Kevin Willard — Person · Referenced coach (award discussion / quote source) · 2 mentions · first at
Quoted praising Caden Lewis’ handling of pressure and later discussed as a Big East coach-of-the-year candidate.OVERLOOK AND WE TYPICALLY. BUT I WOULD ALSO SAY KEVIN WILLARD RIGHT NOW NEEDS TO BE AT THE TOP OF SOME OF THESE LISTS.
- Shaka Smart — Person · Referenced coach (Marquette) · 1 mention · first at
Discussed as bringing energy and being miked up; his in-game management is lightly critiqued (timeout decision).AND AS YOU SAID EARLIER SHAKA IS ALWAYS GOING TO KEEP THE ENERGY. HE GAVE US THE BLESSING OF MIKING HIM UP. THEY DIDN'T GET THE WIN. BUT.
- Tyler Perkins — Person · Referenced player (key play finisher) · 1 mention · first at
Scores the decisive late basket off Caden Lewis’ drive-and-dish, highlighted as the play of the game.BY ONE 15 SECONDS LEFT TO CADEN LEWIS DRAWS THE DEFENSE. DROPS IT OFF FOR TYLER PERKINS. SPOON FEED FOR NOVA TO GET THE WIN 76 TO 73. 13' AND '3.
- Jay Rose — Person · Analyst (panelist) · 2 mentions · first at
Introduced as part of the studio panel; contributes to analysis and is referenced in the studio lineup.SPORTS COLLEGE BASKETBALL POSTGAME SHOW ADAM LEFKOE WITH SOME ABSOLUTE GREATS JAY ROSE, MONSTER MASH, BAHAMA PEARL. WE'RE FEELING REALLY GOOD. WE JUST GOT.
- Ben Gordon — Person · Referenced former player (historical UConn) · 1 mention · first at
Included in the same historical UConn rotation reference to emphasize past talent and continuity of success.FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2001. ON THAT TEAM, CARON BUTLER, BEN GORDON, EMEKA OKAFOR WHAT A ROTATION. ALMOST AS GOOD AS THE ROTATION HERE OF TNT ANALYSTS, AS YOU'LL.
- Caron Butler — Person · Referenced former player (historical UConn) · 1 mention · first at
Named as part of UConn’s 2001-era rotation to contextualize UConn’s current Big East start and program pedigree.FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2001. ON THAT TEAM, CARON BUTLER, BEN GORDON, EMEKA OKAFOR WHAT A ROTATION. ALMOST AS GOOD AS THE ROTATION HERE OF TNT ANALYSTS, AS YOU'LL.
- Emeka Okafor — Person · Referenced former player (historical UConn) · 1 mention · first at
Part of the cited 2001 UConn rotation, reinforcing UConn’s historical strength.2001. ON THAT TEAM, CARON BUTLER, BEN GORDON, EMEKA OKAFOR WHAT A ROTATION. ALMOST AS GOOD AS THE ROTATION HERE OF TNT ANALYSTS, AS YOU'LL SEE AS WE INTERVIEWED.
- Leo Topolice — Person · Referenced player (highlights montage) · 1 mention · first at
Mentioned during the Saint John’s vs Creighton highlight as a three-point maker, part of broader Big East roundup.AND THEN WE GOT LEO TOPOLICE KNOCKING DOWN THE TRIPLE. IT WAS A THREE POINT GAME FOR SAINT JOHN'S 12 THREES.
- Roddy Anderson III — Person · Referenced player (highlights montage) · 1 mention
Appears in the Providence vs Xavier in-progress highlight as a passer setting up a lob.Then Roddy Anderson the third finding... for the lob slam.
Companies & orgs
- Marquette — Company · Core topic (featured team/game) · 4 mentions · first at
Discussed as Villanova’s opponent; focus on disappointing season, effort, and whether they should use the transfer portal. - UConn Huskies — Company · Core topic (featured team/game) · 3 mentions · first at
Highlighted for dominant win vs DePaul, Big East start, and culture under Danny Hurley; also teased upcoming Seton Hall matchup. - Seton Hall — Company · Referenced team (standings/upcoming game) · 3 mentions · first at
Highlighted as exceeding expectations in Big East standings and as host for upcoming UConn matchup where UConn has struggled historically. - Saint Anthony's — Company · Referenced institution (Hurley background) · 1 mention · first at
Mentioned as part of Danny Hurley’s past, used by Mashburn to personalize the interview and establish coaching lineage.FIRST OF ALL, LET ME GET A LITTLE PERSONAL WITH YOU. I REMEMBER YOU AT SAINT ANTHONY'S AND ALSO THE ROADRUNNERS. AND ALSO I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO YOUR.
Concepts & topics
- Big East — Concept · Core topic (conference context) · 9 mentions · first at
Frames standings, coach-of-the-year debate, and the difficulty/volatility of conference play across multiple game recaps. - Transfer Portal — Concept · Core topic (roster-building mechanism) · 3 mentions · first at
Debated in context of Marquette’s roster approach and Hurley’s criteria for portal additions and NIL fit.MARQUETTE IS ONE OF THE FEW TEAMS THAT'S NOT INVOLVED IN THE TRANSFER PORTAL AS ALL AT ALL COACH IS THERE SOMETHING TO MAKE OF THAT OR IS THAT MORE.
Places & events
- Georgia — Place · Referenced location (show + player history) · 2 mentions · first at
Atlanta is the studio location; also referenced as Silas DeMary’s prior school location ('at Georgia').GOING TO BE A CLOSE AND EXCITING GAME. WELCOME INSIDE STUDIO B IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. I KNOW IT'S JANUARY 10TH, BUT HAPPY NEW YEAR. TNT SPORTS COLLEGE.
- Wisconsin — Place · Referenced location (game comparison) · 1 mention · first at
Used as a comparative data point about Villanova’s performance in the same building where Michigan lost to Wisconsin.LOSES TO WISCONSIN IN THAT SAME BUILDING VILLANOVA BEAT WISCONSIN TWO IN A ROW IN THE BUILDING. THAT'S THE FIRST WIN FOR VILLANOVA WHEN THEY HAVEN'T SHOT.
Full transcript with timestamps
COLLEGE BASKETBALL ON TNT. IT'S ALMOST ALWAYS GOING TO BE A CLOSE AND EXCITING GAME. WELCOME INSIDE STUDIO B IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. I KNOW IT'S JANUARY 10TH, BUT HAPPY NEW YEAR. TNT SPORTS COLLEGE BASKETBALL POSTGAME SHOW ADAM LEFKOE WITH SOME ABSOLUTE GREATS JAY ROSE, MONSTER MASH, BAHAMA PEARL. WE'RE FEELING REALLY GOOD. WE JUST GOT OFF NOVA MARQUETTE. WEREN'T SURE ABOUT THIS ONE? NO. FELT LIKE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A RUNAWAY. ONE OF THE BETTER GAMES MARQUETTE PLAYED THIS YEAR. AND WE HAD AN ABSOLUTE BATTLE BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE. WE JUST FOUND OUT OUR COUSINS VILLANOVA, MARQUETTE AND MARQUETTE.
IT WAS NIGEL JAMES JR GETTING THE STEAL OFF OF CADEN LEWIS. TAKING IT THE OTHER WAY DUNKING IT MUST HAVE BEEN RELATED. HE KNEW IT WAS COMING.
ABSOLUTELY. THE HUSTLE THE ENTHUSIASM THAT HE PLAYED WITH THE ENTIRE GAME 30 PLUS POINTS AND THE TWO HANDED SLAM FOR A GUY THAT'S PROBABLY FIVE FOOT NINE.
A CAIN. LEWIS HAD SEVEN ASSISTS LAST GAME, EIGHT ASSISTS TONIGHT. THIS ONE TO DUKE BRENNAN WITH THE FLOATER. NOVA UP SEVEN AT THE INTERMISSION. AND THEN CADEN LEWIS SCORING AS WELL.
YEAH HE CAN SCORE THE BALL AS WELL AS DISH THE BALL. BUT ABLE TO GET TO THAT LEFT HAND WITH THAT SCOOP RIGHT THERE. WHAT I LIKE ABOUT HIM. HE HAS THE ABILITY TO GET TO THE PAINT BUT NOT ONLY SCORE BUT FIND HIS TEAMMATES AS WELL.
NIGEL JAMES WITH ONE OF HIS SEVEN THREES VILLANOVA AS A TEAM HAD SEVEN THREES. HE CAN ALSO DRIVE. WHAT A PLAYER THIS KID IS COACH.
HE IS A TOUGH COVER. THAT'S WHAT SEPARATES NEW YORK CITY POINT GUARDS. THEY CAN GO DOWNHILL AND THEY CAN SCORE OR GET FOULED.
PREACH COACH. AND THIS WAS PROBABLY THE PLAY OF THE GAME. UP BY ONE 15 SECONDS LEFT TO CADEN LEWIS DRAWS THE DEFENSE. DROPS IT OFF FOR TYLER PERKINS. SPOON FEED FOR NOVA TO GET THE WIN 76 TO 73. 13' AND '3. 4' AND WUN HAVEN'T MADE THE TOURNAMENT SINCE 2022. THAT STREAK LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO COME TO AN END THIS YEAR.
BIG, BIG NIGHT FOR VILLANOVA OKAY, MICHIGAN LOSES TO WISCONSIN IN THAT SAME BUILDING VILLANOVA BEAT WISCONSIN TWO IN A ROW IN THE BUILDING. THAT'S THE FIRST WIN FOR VILLANOVA WHEN THEY HAVEN'T SHOT THE BALL GREAT FROM THREE. AND SO I MEAN THAT'S A THAT'S A TEAM WIN. THAT'S A GUTSY WIN. BRENNAN GETS IN FOUL TROUBLE. LET HIM FOULS OUT WITH FOUR MINUTES TO GO. THAT'S A BIG BIG WIN FOR VILLANOVA. THAT'S THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO MAKE THEM MAYBE SECOND THE BIG EAST.
I THINK THEM PLAYING WITHOUT BRENNAN IN THE LAST FOUR MINUTES OR SO REALLY SHOWED THEIR TOUGHNESS TOUGHNESS. AND THEN YOU LOOK AT DEVIN ASKEW AT THE LAST PLAY HE WAS THE GUY TO GET THE REBOUND. YOU TALK ABOUT GUARDS ON THE PERIMETER. BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T TALK ABOUT GUARDS GETTING ON THAT BACKBOARD AS WELL TO SHORE UP THE DEFENSE AND GRAB A REBOUND. I LIKE HOW THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO MANUFACTURE POINTS WHEN THEY DON'T SHOOT THE THREE POINT SHOT, ABILITY TO GET TO THE FREE THROW LINE AND FINISH AND MAKE.
PLAYS AND WIN AND WIN UGLY. LINDSEY AND PERKINS, NEITHER ONE OF THEM HAD TEN POINTS. ASKEW CAME ON IN THE SECOND HALF. HE WAS A DOUBLE FIGURE SCORER IN THE SECOND HALF AND SO IT WAS A QUALITY WIN.
I JUST THE DICHOTOMY FROM WHAT WE SAW OPENING NIGHT A CAIN LOUIS. REMEMBER THEY WERE SAYING HE'S FLASHY. HE'S GOT TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE POSITION. NOW I'M HEARING KEVIN WILLARD AFTER THE GAME GO WHAT WE'RE PUTTING ON A CADEN LEWIS AND FOR HIM TO HANDLE IT. AND THEN WE SAW THE MATURITY IN THE POST GAME INTERVIEW. HE DOES NOT FEEL LIKE A FRESHMAN AT ALL.
NO. HE'S SELF-AWARE. HE UNDERSTANDS THE POSITION THAT HE'S IN. AND ALSO WHEN HE DECOMMITTED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, IT TOLD ME A LOT ABOUT WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR. IT JUST WASN'T A TRANSACTIONAL THING FOR HIM, FOR HIM TO DEVELOP AS A PLAYER, TO GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL. AND I THINK COACH WILLARD HAS ALLOWED HIM TO DO THAT PLAY THROUGH MISTAKES. AND AS A PLAYER, YOU WANT A COACH THAT REALLY BELIEVES IN YOU AND THEY'RE GOING TO GO A LONG WAY WITH HIM. I MEAN, I THINK HE'S A SPECTACULAR TALENT. HE'S GOT A LOT OF GROWTH TO GO WITH SHOOTING THE BASKETBALL FROM THE THREE POINT LINE. BUT JUST HIS MATURITY AND SELF-AWARENESS, HE SEEMS WISE BEYOND HIS YEARS.
JAYLEN CRONKITE, YOU GOT US THE INFORMATION THAT. THESE TWO WERE COUSINS. YEAH. AND IT WAS A GREAT MATCHUP OF BOTH OF THOSE GUYS. THEY COMBINED FOR 51 POINTS. BUT I LOVE THE EFFICIENCY. LIKE A LOT OF TIMES WHEN YOU'RE THE LEAD GUARD, IT'S A RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP EVERYBODY ELSE HAPPY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF SHOTS. AND SO THEY DID A REALLY GOOD JOB OF BOTH BEING EFFICIENT. NIGEL WAS THE ONLY IT WAS ONLY TWO PLAYERS ON MARQUETTE TO EVEN HAVE OVER TEN POINTS OKAY. SO THEY NEEDED ALL OF HIS BUCKETS AND THEY PLAYED TERRIFIC.
I JUST THINK AWARENESS YOU KNOW CADEN LEWIS AWARE OF WHO HE IS OF HOW HE STARTED GIVING HIS TEAMMATES ALL THIS CREDIT FOR CARRYING HIM AND LEARNING FROM A BUNCH OF VETERANS. YEAH THIS VILLANOVA TEAM IS SPECIAL.
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT. IT'S NOT BEEN A SPECIAL YEAR FOR MARQUETTE. THOSE TEN LOSSES THAT THEY HAD COMING IN TONIGHT THEY AVERAGED ABOUT A 13 POINT LOSS TODAY. THEY FOUGHT TRYING TO BUILD OFF THAT WIN EARLIER THIS WEEK. AND AS YOU SAID EARLIER SHAKA IS ALWAYS GOING TO KEEP THE ENERGY. HE GAVE US THE BLESSING OF MIKING HIM UP. THEY DIDN'T GET THE WIN. BUT WE ALWAYS KNOW SHOCK IS GOING TO BRING THE VIBES.
WE GOT TO TALK AND WE HAVE TO MULTIPLE EFFORT. THERE'S NO SUBSTITUTE FOR MULTIPLE EFFORT. COME OUT AND BE AGGRESSIVE. NO MAN. WE CAN GET UNBELIEVABLE SHOTS AGAINST THESE GUYS. GOOD DECISIONS. COME ON MIKE RUN. WE GOT TO HAVE FIVE GUYS ON THE FLOOR THAT ARE HIGHLY AGGRESSIVE ON THIS END AND THAT END. MANIPULATE THE FLOOR. WE GOT ALL SHOOTERS IN THE GAME. WE WILL CREATE A WIDE OPEN SHOT. THAT'S ALL MAN. WE OFF TOMORROW BABY. WE'RE OFF TOMORROW. TWO ROUNDS. GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU GOT. I MEAN, THIS IS A BIG EAST MAN.
SO MARQUETTE IS NOW SIX AND 11. THEY SUFFERED 11 LOSSES ALL OF LAST YEAR COMBINED. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A BIGGER STATEMENT HERE. MARQUETTE IS ONE OF THE FEW TEAMS THAT'S NOT INVOLVED IN THE TRANSFER PORTAL AS ALL AT ALL COACH IS IS THERE SOMETHING TO MAKE OF THAT OR IS THAT MORE REACTIONARY?
I THINK THE TOUGHEST LEAGUE IN THE COUNTRY IS THE ONE YOU'RE IN. I MEAN, THIS BIG EAST. YOU SAID IT LEFKOE BEEN CRAZY CRAZY UP AND DOWN. HE'S NOT GOING TO LOSE HIS TEAM. HE BELIEVES IN HIS TEAM. YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE SAY YOU REALLY CAN'T COACH EFFORT. I THINK SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO. MY JOB AS A COACH IS MAKE SURE THAT MY TEAM PLAYS HARDER THAN YOUR TEAM. THESE KIDS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PLAY HARD. THIS IS A TOUGH LOSS AT HOME. WHEN YOU MAKE 11 THREES AGAINST VILLANOVA TEAM THAT'S NOT THAT TALENTED. IT'S KIND OF ONE THEY NEEDED TO GET. BUT THEY'LL JUST GET UP AND PLAY THE NEXT ONE.
I PERSONALLY THINK HE HAS TO AT SOME POINT LOOK AT THAT PARTICULAR THAT PORTAL FOR OLDER PLAYERS BECAUSE YOU LOOK AT A GUY, A FIFTH YEAR SENIOR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COURT, DEVIN ASKEW, WITH A TON OF EXPERIENCE. HE WAS ABLE TO SETTLE THINGS DOWN AT DIFFERENT TIMES.
SECOND HALF TWO, RIGHT? YEAH. OH MY GOD, HE DOMINATED. I THOUGHT PROBABLY ME AND JALEN. JALEN CHATTED ABOUT IT IN THE GREEN ROOM BACK THERE. SHAKA SHOULD HAVE CALLED A TIMEOUT WHEN THEY SHOT THAT AIRBALL WITH LIKE I THINK IT WAS 30S TO GO OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT OR WHATEVER THE TIME CLOCK WAS. BUT THAT'S VETERAN LEADERSHIP TO SOMEBODY. GET IN THE SET, GET US ORGANIZED, RUN SOMETHING THAT WE CAN GET A GOOD LOOK. AND THAT'S THE I THINK THE INEXPERIENCE COMES IN.
COACHING ENERGY AND EXPERIENCE. THAT'S THE UCONN HUSKIES THEY TOOK ON DEPAUL. THEY GOT IT IN SPADES IN BOTH CATEGORIES. NUMBER FOUR RANKED TEAM IN THE COUNTRY ALEX CARAVAN, PLAYING IN HIS 128TH GAME, TIED FOR MOST AMONG ACTIVE PLAYERS. AND WE KNOW HE CAN DO THAT. KNOCKING IT DOWN FROM THE OUTSIDE. DEPAUL WOULD COME BACK INTO THIS GAME WITH FOUR STRAIGHT MAKES, INCLUDING THAT LAYDEN BLOCKER RUNNER OFF THE GLASS. SILAS DEMARY UNABLE TO GET THAT FIRST SHOT. GETS IT OFF THE TIP, KNOCKS IT DOWN RIGHT BEFORE THE HALF. THEY GO IN THERE WITH A TEN POINT HALFTIME LEAD.
AND THEN AFTER THAT MATCH IT WAS ALL HUSKIES. ALL HUSKIES GETTING DOWNHILL, GETTING THE PAINTED AREA, DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST, MAKING SHOTS AND ALSO NOT STANDING. THEY MOVE QUITE A BIT WITHOUT THE BASKETBALL PLAY WITH EACH OTHER. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ENJOY WINNING, AND YOU CAN TELL BY THEIR DAILY HABITS OF HOW MUCH THEY PRACTICE AND TAKE ON DANNY HURLEY'S PERSONALITY AS WELL.
UCONN, NOW SIX AND ZERO IN BIG EAST, PLAY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2001. ON THAT TEAM, CARON BUTLER, BEN GORDON, EMEKA OKAFOR WHAT A ROTATION. ALMOST AS GOOD AS THE ROTATION HERE OF TNT ANALYSTS, AS YOU'LL SEE AS WE INTERVIEWED DAN HURLEY AND HE WAS VERY IMPRESSED. SO A 12 POINT WIN THAT LOCKS UP THE 12TH STRAIGHT WIN FOR THE UCONN HUSKIES. ADAM LEFKOE, JALEN ROSE, JAMAL MASHBURN, COACH BRUCE PEARL AND COACH. I GOT TO SAY, WE APPRECIATED YOUR COMPLIMENTS ABOUT TNT EARLIER THIS SEASON. GREAT TO WATCH YOU LIVE IN ACTION HERE IN HARTFORD.
YEAH, THAT'S A BIG TIME STUDIO. YOU KNOW YOU GOT SOME BIG TIME. YOU GOT SOME BIG TIME PEOPLE IN THAT STUDIO. SO YEAH, MAN, YOU GUYS, I LOVE THE WAY YOU TALK ABOUT IT. AND YOU GOT A COACH'S PERSPECTIVE. BUT YOU KNOW ONE OF THE BEST TO DO IT WITH COACH PEARL. AND THEN YOU KNOW JAY ROSE AND MONSTER MASH. LET'S GO. HERE WE GO.
HEY DANNY IT'S BP THIS SPRING WHEN WE WERE OUT RECRUITING, MAN, WE TALKED ABOUT SILAS DEEMER. YOU WERE ASKING ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HIM. I PLAYED HIM, YOU KNOW, WHEN HE WAS AT GEORGIA, I GOT TWO QUESTIONS. NUMBER ONE, BETTER THAN BETTER THAN YOU THOUGHT AND HOW. AND THEN THE SECOND, HOW MUCH OF A FACTOR THE FACT THAT HE PLAYED FOR HIS DAD, A SON OF A COACH. HOW HAS THAT HELPED YOU COACHING HIM?
WELL, I THINK JUST WHEN HE TOOK THE VISIT, WHEN YOU'RE DOING THE SPEED DATING AND THE PORTAL AND ALL THE ALL HIS OLD MAN, YOU KNOW, WHO PLAYED ARENA LEAGUE FOOTBALL AND WAS A HELL OF AN ATHLETE IN HIS OWN RIGHT. ALL HE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WAS ME BEING ON HIS KIDS. YOU KNOW, LIKE, I WANT YOU TO COACH, YOU KNOW, THE I DON'T THINK I COULD CURSE ON HERE. SO YOU KNOW WHAT, ADAM? MY KID EVERY SINGLE DAY. AND YOU BETTER GET THE BEST OUT OF HIM EVERY SINGLE DAY. I WANT YOU ON HIS. AND THEN WHEN YOU GO BACK AND YOU. YOU KNOW, WE NEEDED HELP DEFENSIVELY. AND THIS DUDE IS A BALL HAWK.
HE'S GOT GREAT SIZE. AND NOW HE'S STARTING TO UNDERSTAND KIND OF HOW TO ORCHESTRATE OUR OFFENSE. AND THEN WHEN THE PICK HIS SPOTS AND GO GET HIS OWN.
KEEP COACHING HIM AS HARD AS YOU LOVE HIM COACH. YES SIR. WELL COACH HURLEY'S JAMAL MASHBURN HERE. FIRST OF ALL, LET ME GET A LITTLE PERSONAL WITH YOU. I REMEMBER YOU AT SAINT ANTHONY'S AND ALSO THE ROADRUNNERS. AND ALSO I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO YOUR ASSISTANT COACH, KIMANI YOUNG. HE DID ME SUCH A GREAT FAVOR BY INTRODUCING MY SON WHEN HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL TO THE PSA, CARDINALS AND MUNCH. SO SHOUT OUT TO HIM. BUT MY QUESTION.
IS MUNCH. YES, YES. YOU KNOW, MY QUESTION IS YOU BUILT A CHAMPIONSHIP CULTURE THERE WITH THE ADVENT OF THE TRANSFER PORTAL AND RECRUITING YOUNGER KIDS, WHAT CORE VALUES ARE YOU SEARCHING FOR WHEN YOU GO INTO THAT PORTAL TO BRING KIDS INTO YOUR PROGRAM?
YEAH, I MEAN, NUMBER ONE, THEY GOT TO LOVE THE GAME, YOU KNOW? AND, YOU KNOW, THEY GOT TO BE COMPETITIVE AS HELL. THEY GOT TO LOVE THE GAME. YOU KNOW? THEY GOT TO WANT TO WIN. THEY GOT TO BE THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT'S JUST GOING TO BE A GYM RAT. YOU KNOW IF YOU GIVE THE WRONG. HEY LISTEN YOU GIVE PEOPLE THAT ARE ABOUT THE RIGHT THINGS, YOU KNOW, GOOD N.I.L. MONEY THAT'S, YOU KNOW, ABLE TO BEGIN TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES AND THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION. IF YOU GIVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, SOME PRETTY GOOD N.I.L MONEY, THEY'RE STILL GOING TO BE ABOUT THE RIGHT THINGS. THEY'RE GOING TO HELP YOU WIN. THEY'RE GOING TO THEY'RE GOING TO PUT THE PREPARATION IN EVERY DAY, AND THEY'RE GOING TO PUT UCONN BASKETBALL AHEAD OF THE NAME ON THE BACK OF THE JERSEY. AND THAT'S WHAT YOU GOT TO BE ABOUT. IF YOU GO PLAY UCONN, YOU KNOW, WITH THE SIX NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE LAST 30 YEARS, YOU KNOW,
IF YOU AIN'T ABOUT WINNING CHAMPIONSHIPS AND THIS IS THE WRONG PLACE TO GO. WELL, SAID.
COACH JALEN ROSE. AND SPEAKING OF WINNING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, I LOVE CARABINS GAME. HE'S FLIRTING WITH A 50, 40, 90 SEASON. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HIS IMPACT ON YOUR TEAM?
YEAH, I MEAN IT'S YOU KNOW, IT'S HAVING AN ALL-AMERICAN LEVEL PLAYER. IT'S HAVING, YOU KNOW, THE BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR. YOU KNOW, IT'S HAVING A GUY WHO'S GOING TO BE A, YOU KNOW, POTENTIALLY A FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK. I THINK HE'S GOING TO BE SOMEWHERE, YOU KNOW, DRAFTED IN THE 20S. HE'S A PLUG AND PLAY GUY IN AN NBA SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THE SHOOTING. AND YOU KNOW HIS ABILITY TO GUARD MULTIPLE POSITIONS I MEAN AND IT'S LIKE HAVING A COACH ON THE COURT BECAUSE LITERALLY, YOU KNOW, HE'S PROBABLY THE SMARTEST BASKETBALL PERSON IN OUR ORGANIZATION INCLUDING ME BY A LONG SHOT COACH.
JUST TO WRAP IT UP, MAN. LIKE AS A NON PLAYER NON COACH I WATCH YOU FROM THE OUTSIDE. AND EVERY STORY IS ABOUT THE MISERY OR THE PAIN OF WHAT YOU GO THROUGH. I'M CURIOUS WHEN IT COMES TO COACHING, WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN THE MOST FUN DOING THESE DAYS?
WHAT. YO THIS IS THIS JUST FOR ME? I DON'T KNOW WHAT BP'S DEAL WAS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT. EVERYONE'S PERSONALITY IS DIFFERENT. YOU KNOW, I WATCH BOBBY HURLEY SENIOR, AND ME AND MY BROTHER BOB. WE JUST WATCHED THIS AS KIDS, AND IT WAS JUST WE TOGGLE BETWEEN RELIEF RIGHT NOW, LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF JOY, A LITTLE MOSTLY RELIEF AND SUFFERING. RELIEF SUFFERING RELIEF SUFFERING RELIEF SUFFERING. IT JUST TOGGLES BACK AND FORTH UNTIL YOU HAVE A CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON AND THEN A STRAIGHT JOY. BUT YOU'RE A LONG WAY TO GO.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE FUN, COACH. IT WAS FUN WATCHING IT. CONGRATULATIONS! GOOD LUCK THE REST OF THE WAY.
WE APPRECIATE THE. LOVE THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS STUDIO. OH! OH MAN. ONE OF A KIND MAN. ONE OF A KIND. WE WANT TO GIVE SOME LOVE TO SILAS.
GOT TO GIVE LOVE TO HIM. I MEAN, EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT THE QUARTERBACK IS THE TOUGHEST POSITION TO ACTUALLY PLAY, BUT IT'S REALLY THE POINT GUARD SPOT. AND WHEN YOU'RE A POINT GUARD, YOU NOT ONLY GOT TO DO IT ON OFFENSE AND DEFENSE, YOU GOT TO BE THE POINT OF ATTACK. YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY'S HAPPY. AND HE'S DONE A GREAT JOB OF REALLY FINDING HOW TO PASS TO THE RIGHT PLAYER, BUT ALSO GET HIS. I THINK WITH HIS DEVELOPMENT, IT MAKES UCONN LOOK DIFFERENT WHEN HE SCORES THE BALL, BUT ALSO FACILITATE AS HE'S DONE.
I THINK HE'S THE SECOND BEST TRANSFER TO COME IN AFTER YOXALL. AND THEN I LOOKED AT BRENNAN. HE'S PROBABLY THE THIRD AS WELL AT VILLANOVA.
WHAT ABOUT AND I WANT TO ASK BOTH OF YOU GUYS THIS COACH YOU FIRST. WHAT ABOUT RECEIVING COACHING. AND I KNOW YOU'RE BIG ON THIS MASH. AND I KNOW YOU'VE DONE THIS FOR 40 PLUS YEARS. THAT ALSO ALLOWS A PLAYER TO FLOURISH. A LOT OF TIMES GUYS FEEL LIKE THEY KNOW EVERYTHING AND THEY DON'T LIKE LISTEN OR THEY DON'T WORK AS HARD AS THEY SHOULD. SO COACH, FOR EXAMPLE, WHAT DID IT MEAN TO YOU WHEN YOU SAID TO COACH HURLEY LIKE HE'S THE COACH'S SON, SO NOW HE CAN RECEIVE COACHING? DOES IT FEEL DIFFERENT FOR YOU WHEN YOU RECEIVE?
WHEN YOU WHEN YOU'RE COACHING A PLAYER THAT YOU KNOW THAT'S BEING COACHED. AND JAYLEN WHEN YOU ARE COACHING ONE OF YOUR BEST PLAYERS OR YOUR QUARTERBACK AND HE TAKES YOU, THE REST OF THE TEAM ARE GOING TO TAKE YOU. I USED TO MAKE A DEAL WITH MY BEST PLAYER. LOOK, SOMETIMES I WANT TO GET ON YOU IN PRACTICE. I DON'T REALLY MEAN IT. IF YOU TAKE IT, THE REST OF THESE JOKERS HAVE GOT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE IT. I THINK THE OTHER THING WOULD, SILAS, IS THIS IS A BETTER DEFENSIVE TEAM THAN THEY WERE A YEAR AGO. WHEN YOU'VE GOT A GUY THAT CAN STOP THE BALL AND CONTAIN PENETRATION IN TRANSITION, THAT SETS THE REST OF YOUR DEFENSE UP. AND I DON'T THINK UCONN HAD THAT LAST YEAR.
THAT WAS A GOOD QUESTION. YEAH. THANK YOU JILL. GOOD QUESTION TOO. FROM A PLAYER, FROM A PLAYER'S PERSPECTIVE, I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO HUMILITY AND ALIGNMENT. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE BOTH HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME GOAL. MY GOAL CAN BE TO GET TO THE NBA, BUT WE CAN HAVE THE SAME GOAL OF WINNING THE CHAMPIONSHIP BECAUSE AS I GET BETTER, WE IMPROVE AS A TEAM. SO THE WAY I'VE ALWAYS SEEN IT IS KATIE AND LEWIS, I THINK IS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF THAT. CHOSEN UNIVERSITY. KENTUCKY WENT TO VILLANOVA, GOT MORE MINUTES AND MORE RESPONSIBILITY AND NOW THEY'RE WINNING. AND HE'S A BIG PART OF IT THAT'S GOING TO HELP HIM THROUGHOUT HIS ENTIRE LIFE.
COACH HURLEY FOUND HIS POINT GUARD EARLY ON. SAINT JOHN'S WAS TRYING TO FIND THEIR POINT GUARD. LET'S SEE HOW THEY'RE DOING AGAINST CREIGHTON, WHO THEY WERE TRYING TO MAKE A RUN AT. MAYBE SECOND BEST TEAM IN THE BIG EAST. GREAT COACHING MATCHUP MCDERMOTT AND PITINO. AND THEN WE GOT LEO TOPOLICE KNOCKING DOWN THE TRIPLE. IT WAS A THREE POINT GAME FOR SAINT JOHN'S 12 THREES IN THIS ONE OUT OF 23 SELLERS WE CAN DO A LITTLE MID-RANGE AS WELL. SAINT JOHN'S UP BY 18 AT THE HALF. MORE THREES IN THE SECOND HALF BRYCE HOPKINS NAILS THE TRIPLE.
SAINT JOHN'S NOW EIGHT. AND OH WHEN THEY HIT EIGHT OR MORE THREES IN A GAME THEY WIN THIS 190 TO 73. AGAIN. CAN YOU FIGURE OUT THE BIG EAST. LET'S LOOK AT PROVIDENCE AND XAVIER. PROVIDENCE HAD CONNECTICUT ON THE ROPES XAVIER TRYING TO GET SOME BIG TIME WINS NINE AND SEVEN ON THE SEASON MASSENA MORE DRILLING THE THREE POINTER FROM THE WING XAVIER UP BY EIGHT ON THE BREAK. NOW I LOVE JASON EDWARDS THE DISH BOX. WHAT DID THE FOX SAY. 3' XAVIER UP BY FOUR. THEN RODDY ANDERSON THE THIRD FINDING POP AND JAI FOR THE LOB SLAM. THIS IS IN PROGRESS XAVIER WITH A NINE POINT LEAD.
PROVIDENCE THOUGH HAS THE HORSES TO MAKE IT CLOSE MATCH. WHAT STICKS OUT ABOUT THESE CONFERENCE STANDINGS.
WELL SETON HALL FOR ME BUT ALSO TO I WANT TO GIVE SOME LOVE EVEN THOUGH THEY'VE LOST SOME GAMES THEY'VE BEEN IN GAMES. I THINK PROVIDENCE, WHEN THEY GET TO THE BIG EAST TOURNAMENT, THEY CAN SCARE SOME PEOPLE BECAUSE ALL THEY REALLY HAVE TO DO IS JUST PLAY A LITTLE BIT OF DEFENSE BECAUSE THEY CAN SCORE, THEY CAN MAKE SOME NOISE.
AS WE LOOK AT THE STANDINGS AND KEEP THEM UP THERE FOR ABOUT FIVE MORE SECONDS. THINK ABOUT COACH OF THE YEAR. IF WE'RE THINKING ABOUT COACH OF THE YEAR IN THE BIG EAST, WHO COMES TO MIND? WELL, LOOK, I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT YOU CAN GIVE IT TO DAN HURLEY. I THINK SOMETIMES WE OVERLOOK AND WE TYPICALLY. BUT I WOULD ALSO SAY KEVIN WILLARD RIGHT NOW NEEDS TO BE AT THE TOP OF SOME OF THESE LISTS.
I LIKE TO LOOK AT LEFKOE WHERE YOU WERE PICKED AND WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW OR WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO FINISH. OKAY. AND I THINK BOTH VILLANOVA AND SETON HALL WERE BOTH PICKED DOWN THE DOWN THE LIST. OKAY. AND BOTH OF THOSE PROGRAMS AND BOTH OF THOSE COACHES AND THEIR STAFFS HAVE GOT THEM WITH JUST ONE LOSS IN THE BIG EAST. BIG GAME FOR SETON HALL ON TUESDAY. RIGHT CONNECTICUT COMES IN SETON HALL CONNECTICUT HASN'T WON AT SETON HALL IN FOUR STRAIGHT TRIES. WOW. THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE WHETHER THAT'S THE FIRST ONE. BUT I'D GIVE THE NOD TO EITHER KEVIN OR SHAHEEN.
YEAH YEAH I'LL GO WITH SHAHEEN HOLLOWAY. HE'S DONE MORE WITH LESS. AND WHAT I MEAN BY LESS IS HE DOESN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT OTHER.
TOP INCOMING FRESHMEN. BRENNAN ALL. THAT RESOURCES. RESOURCES LIKE MONEY. YOU MEAN LIKE THE GYMNASIUM AND THE LOCKERROOM? THOSE RESOURCES. CORRECT.
I THINK HE DESERVES A NOD. I THINK. HE'S ZELLE. YEAH, I THINK HE'S ONE OF THOSE GUYS THAT'S PLAYED THE GAME. HE REMINDS ME A LITTLE BIT OF OF DANNY HURLEY A LITTLE BIT. PLAYED THE GAME TOUGH ON HIS PLAYERS. WAS A POINT GUARD. UNDERSTANDS WAS AN OVERACHIEVER WHEN HE PLAYED, WAS A GREAT HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER. BUT I THINK THE KIDS LOVE HIM AND I LOVE THE JOB THAT HE'S DONE.
AND JUST TO THROW A THIRD TEAM IN THERE, I'M GOING TO TAKE UCONN TAKE HURLEY. THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.
I MEAN, LIKE THE SUCCESS HE'S HAD ALREADY WINNING TWO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AND THE WAY HE'S BRINGING MULLINS ALONG AS A FRESHMAN THIS YEAR, AS THIS SEASON CONTINUES TO PROGRESS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE A VERY TOUGH OUT.
IT'S A VERY FUNNY THING IN SPORTS. BILL BELICHICK DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF COACH OF THE YEAR. LEBRON DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF MVP'S. KOBE, LIKE WE JUST SOMETIMES GIVE IT TO PEOPLE THAT EXCEED EXPECTATIONS.
ONE ALL STAR TEAM. CRAZY WHAT? BUT HEY, THAT SETON HALL TEAM THAT IS EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS.
HOSTING UCONN ON OUR AIR THIS TUESDAY 8:00. IT'S ON THE TNT SPORTS FAMILY OF NETWORKS. COACH UCONN HASN'T WON THERE IN FOUR TRIES.
YEAH. HEY, LET'S SEE IF THEY MAKE. IT FIVE. DANNY HURLEY PLAYED AT SETON HALL RIGHT. HE PLAYED THERE. SO MAYBE SOME GHOSTS IN THAT BUILDING.
CARAVAN ON THE UPCOMING MATCHUP. THAT ATMOSPHERE THAT ARENA. IT'S SOMETHING I WANT TO CHECK OFF MY CHECK. THIS GUY HAS DONE EVERYTHING EXCEPT BEAT THE PIRATES. WE'LL FIND OUT IF HE CAN DO IT ON TNT ON TUESDAY NIGHT. WE KNOW ONE GUY THAT'S CRUISIN FOR A BRUISIN BOOZER AND THE DUKE
Questions about this episode
Who speaks in "Dan Hurley Joined Postgame to Discuss The Concept of "Fun" 😅 + Highlights From Big East Action 🏀"?
Adam Lefkoe (Host), Jalen Rose (Guest), Jamal Mashburn (Guest), Dan Hurley (Guest), Bruce Pearl (Guest).
What is "Dan Hurley Joined Postgame to Discuss The Concept of "Fun" 😅 + Highlights From Big East Action 🏀" about?
Dan Hurley discusses the importance of "fun" in college basketball while reflecting on an exciting matchup between Villanova and Marquette, highlighting key performances and plays that contributed to Villanova's narrow victory. The analysis also touches on standout players and their impact on the game amid the broader context of Big East action.
What is mentioned in this TNT Sports US episode?
26 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Caden Lewis, Danny Hurley, Adam Lefkoe, Big East, Marquette, UConn Huskies. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.
How long is "Dan Hurley Joined Postgame to Discuss The Concept of "Fun" 😅 + Highlights From Big East Action 🏀"?
The episode runs 20 min; the transcript is about 4,010 words in 59 timestamped sections.
More from TNT Sports US
About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated January 24, 2026.