UConn's Dan Hurley Delivers Bold Message on Title Hopes Ahead of Final Four Matchup vs. Illinois

The four teams to play in the Final Four this weekend will leave with a new watch, but UConn coach Dan Hurley isn't interested in a timepiece.

Ahead of the Huskies' matchup against Illinois on Saturday, Hurley delivered an inspiring message to his squad.

"We came here for rings, not watches," Hurley said, per ESPN's Pete Thamel. "Everyone that comes to the Final Four gets a beautiful watch, but only one group is going to get a ring.

"So get off social media, stop injecting the dopamine into your arm and get serious about the preparation and the practice, because we don't hang banners for Final Fours at UConn. We hang national championship banners."

Hurley is no stranger to the Final Four, having made it to the national semifinal three times in the last four years. His first two trips to the Final Four ended with national titles, and he's not expecting anything else this time around.

UConn has certainly looked the part of a major threat so far in the tournament. After avoiding an upset bid from No. 15 Furman, the Huskies downed No. 7 UCLA, No. 3 Michigan State and top-seeded Duke en route to Saturday's Final Four showdown against the No. 3 Fighting Illini, who beat No. 9 Iowa in the Elite Eight.

UConn has made it this far with a key player, Silas Demary, battling an ankle injury. Hurley described the junior guard as "90 percent physically" heading into Saturday's contest.

"This guy played at probably 65 percent the first weekend versus UCLA," Hurley said. "He probably got to 75 percent in the Sweet 16/Elite Eight game, and I think he's much better this week.

"I think he's got a chance to play at like 90 percent physically for the Illinois game, which we're going to need all of that."

Whether UConn has reached blue blood status yet is up for debate, but Hurley has made winning a championship the standard for the Huskies. A third title in four years would only add to his and the program's growing legacy.