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- The UConn Daily Digest: 8/5
The UConn Daily Digest: 8/5
We hear from Dan Hurley, Jim Mora, and Joe Fagnano as the fall inches closer.
Aman Kidwai
August 05, 2025
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Headlines
PJ Poulin called up to the Majors
The pitcher drafted out of UConn in 2018 by the Colorado Rockies has been called up by the Washington Nationals seven years later. Poulin becomes the 9th Husky under Jim Penders to make the major leagues, joining George Springer, Ben Casparius, Matt Barnes, Nick Ahmed, Scott Oberg, Anthony Kay, and Mike Olt.
The Nationals claimed Poulin off waivers from the Detroit Tigers system. The Rockies traded him to the Tigers in 2024 and he started this season with the AAA Delaware Mud Hens.
Solo Ball, Silas Demary Jr. attend 2025 Chris Paul Elite Guard Camp
Of the 12 high school and college basketball players attending Chris Paul’s annual development camp for guards, two were Huskies. Solo Ball and Silas Demary Jr. were both present for the four-day event, with Demary doing so for his second consecutive summer.
Paul served as an instructor alongside other high-level coaches, either at the NBA level or lower. Braden Smith (Purdue), Robert Wright III (BYU), Kingston Flemmings (Houston), and Anthony Robinson II (Missouri) were among others training with the staff put together by Paul, who himself is one of the greatest play-making guards in the history of the game.
Stars of Storrs bounced from TBT 2025
UConn had an alumni team in the offseason semi-pro hoops event, The Basketball Tournament, this summer. For the second year in a row, Husky fans had the chance to see Ryan Boatright and RJ Cole again, before the Stars of Storrs lost in the Round of 16.
Playing in the Syracuse region, the No. 2-seeded Stars of Storrs fell 76-68 to No. 4 We Are D3 as former UMass Dartmouth standout Marcus Azor dropped 22 points in the win, while UConn found its most production from Cole (14 points).
It was a special run for the group, which stormed past the Brown Ballers in the opening round with a 12-point victory and dropped off the Green Mountain Men — Vermont’s alumni team — on a game-winning three by Boatright.
“It’s so much fun, it’s a blessing to be able to play back in the States again,” Boatright told the Hartford Courant following the win over the Green Mountain Men. “A lot of players that have to play overseas, you don’t get to play in front of your peers, don’t get to play on national TV, your family doesn’t get to watch you play a lot. So to have this opportunity is a blessing.”
Boatright recently signed to play in Venezuela. Among other Huskies on the roster, Cole plays in Italy, Rodney Purvis in Bulgaria, DeAndre Daniels in Chile, and Daniel Hamilton in Mexico.
Highlights from Hurley
Dan Hurley addressed the media last week, providing updates on summer practices, early standouts, and gauging expectations as the Huskies go into this season with top-5 hype.
On the team’s depth – “I really love the depth of the team. I think to be in the rotation and to get minutes, you’re going to have to bring real value to the team. You’re going to have to play well and help the team play well.”
On Alex Karaban – “Going through a season like last year… it was not a team that was functioning on the level of (Karaban’s) first two years. I think it affected everyone’s level of play. I think guys that went in the portal will play better in their new places (and) the returning players that come back here will play better. It didn’t work out, it didn’t happen, it didn’t come together the way we all planned. I think Alex having gone through a year of that, what you learn from that, you get mentally tougher when you have to drag yourself through a tough year in your life, dealing with adversity like that.”
On Braylon Mullins – “The shooting is the first thing that stands out, as well as shot making that don’t involve just threes. And the fact that he can make them off the dribble, too, and shoot them from deep. But I think there’s some toughness there. I think there’s some seriousness. I think he’s gonna be able to guard and I think he’s gonna be able to finish at the rim because he’s bouncy. He’s sneaky bouncy.”
Dan Hurley on new UConn freshman Braylon Mullins:
— Storrs Central (@StorrsCentral)
6:16 PM • Jul 25, 2025
On finding the winning formula – “You need Tarris (Reed Jr.) to play like a version of Adama (Sanogo). You need Eric (Reibe) to have some kind of an impact… Is all that stuff going to hit? On paper, it all looks great and it makes sense. But there’s no magic dust at UConn that when they get on campus, we sprinkle it over their head and then they become a champion. These players are the magic dust.”
On physicality – “We felt like at times last year we got bullied in league play. We felt like the older teams in particular really, physically, handled us. You can see there’s some emphasis with the program with guys like Solo (Ball) and Jaylin Stewart, these guys look physically better and stronger.”
On building up in the summer – “We’ve messed with the way that we work through our weeks here with the team in terms of how we build up to a Friday, bringing officials, bringing some fans in. Hopefully, the fans don’t start killing the players who didn’t play well today on social… Stay off the message boards and let the guys just work through the summer.”
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Weekly Rewind
Men’s Basketball
UConn men’s basketball announces home-and-home exhibition series with Michigan State – Tom Izzo and the Spartans will come to Connecticut on Oct. 28, 2025.
Summer Recruiting Wrap-Up: UConn Coaches Hit Peach Jam and Other Key Events ($) – Hurley and his staff had their last looks at some of the nation’s top high school prospects.
Second Annual UConn Legends Tournament Brings Huskies Together ($) – Alumni, young and old, descended upon Greenwich Country Club for this fundraising event.
Eric Reibe FIBA U19 Film Review – Watch some of Reibe’s best highlights from last month’s tournament.
Women’s Basketball
Key details on UConn’s home schedule – The addition of Florida State makes 16 home games on UConn’s 2025-26 schedule.
Kelis Fisher brings plenty of fun and energy to UConn – Ashlynn Shade described the freshman as “A big ball of energy.”
UConn’s matchups for Women’s Hall of Fame Showcase changed – This solidifies the Huskies’ non-conference schedule.
How shared injury struggles bonded Caroline Ducharme and Ayanna Patterson ($) – The two have spent many months together as they work their way back from injuries.
Gandy Malou-Mamel bringing mature approach to freshman season – The young forward will begin her journey to the starting lineup on a loaded team.
Football
Photo: Ian Bethune
Offseason Check-In with UConn QB Joe Fagnano – The incumbent starter takes a look back at how he earned his spot with the Huskies.
Joe Fagnano is Back — Again ($) – The former Maine transfer has battled multiple P4 transfers to earn the starting job and is back again to help the Huskies reach new heights.
2025 Position Group Breakdown: Special Teams – Kicker Chris Freeman returns, looking to build on a strong season for the unit last year.
2025 Position Group Breakdown: DL – The Huskies had to overhaul their defensive line ahead of this season.
UConn Football Offseason Media Availability - 7.29.25 – Jim Mora, Joe Fagnano, Skyler Bell after UConn’s first summer practice on July 29.
2025 Position Group Breakdown: DB ($) – UConn was most aggressive at this position in the transfer portal, currently holding 22 defensive backs on its roster.
2025 Season Preview #1: FAU – What is in store for UConn’s late-season trip to Boca Raton?
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