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Jeff Borzello, ESPN Staff Writer
GLENDALE, Arizona — After having some time — and a couple hours of sleep — to reflect on UConn‘s travel issues, coach Dan Hurley said Thursday that the Huskies are “past it” and “lucky to be here.”
UConn didn’t arrive in Phoenix until 3:15 a.m. local time Thursday — hours after it was originally expected to land — after mechanical issues and flight delays.
“It was nice,” Hurley joked Thursday. “A lot of thoughts because I’ve had a lot of time to think in just a stationary situation. I think what goes through your mind once you’re done kind of complaining and cursing and muttering, you just start saying to yourself, ‘You don’t deserve to show such entitlement. Such an honor to get a chance — once-in-a-lifetime experience — to play in a Final Four, coach in a Final Four.’ Once that edge wore off, [it was, we’re] lucky to be here. We’re lucky to get an opportunity to come play in the Final Four.
“Who doesn’t deal with problems with the airlines? … But it sucked.”
The flight was originally scheduled to take off from Bradley International Airport at about 6 p.m. Wednesday, but it was delayed to 11:30 p.m. because of mechanical issues. Hurley posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, around 1 a.m. ET that the plane had not yet taken off.
The NCAA announced around 3:25 a.m. local time that UConn had safely landed, saying the additional delay was due to weather in Connecticut.
“I ruminated a lot. I spiraled. I had my head in my hands a lot,” Hurley said. “It was a real mindful exercise from 11:30 to like 1:45 on the tarmac. It was therapeutic to watch the de-icing on the window.”
Hurley said they adjusted their schedule upon arrival. The players slept in later than usual and studied film at the hotel, but they made it to State Farm Stadium to get in some shooting to get used to the bigger setting.
“I mean, listen, these guys were getting in a van driving 14 hours to the Peach Jam, playing two hours later,” Hurley said, referencing Nike’s signature grassroots basketball event. “There’s no excuses. I mean, s—, I was driving a mini cheese bus to prep school games not too long ago. We’re in the Final Four here, man, with a chance to advance, to repeat as national champions, make history. We’re way past that s—.”
UConn faces Alabama on Saturday in the second of two national semifinal contests. The Huskies are aiming to become the first back-to-back national champions since the Florida Gators in 2006 and 2007.
As for his own rest and recovery, Hurley said he slept two hours on the plane and two hours at the hotel.
“That’s why God made caffeine.”