BOSTON — All of the pressures, expectations and distractions that Dan Hurley and Connecticut are experiencing are what Billy Donovan has experienced.
He spent that time nearly 20 years ago coaching Florida, the last team to win back-to-back championships.
There’s a reason that hasn’t happened since Al Horford’s Gators, Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer won it all in 2006 and 2007. That’s incredibly difficult.
He played against the Bruins in 2006 and repeated the following year. Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Donovan was one of several coaches Hurley talked about trying again this offseason, along with Mike Krzyzewski, Tom Izzo and Jay Wright.
His message was simple. It was like, “Start over again.”
“We have to get rid of the idea that they are protecting something. Last year is over. They are not going to return last year’s trophy and this is a whole new season with new challenges and situations. . Whatever happened last year, it’s over,” the Bulls head coach told the Post in a phone interview.
“They’re going to have to understand that their path up the mountain in the NCAA Tournament could be a different path than the year before. Eliminate thoughts about last year and all the questions they have to deal with going forward.” They have to worry about what’s in front of them right now.”
Obviously the situation is different.
Florida had the benefit of returning all five starting pitchers.
Top-seeded Connecticut lost Final Four Most Valuable Player Adama Sanogo and fellow starters Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson Jr. to the NBA.
The Huskies aren’t the same team that won last year’s NCAA Tournament with a whopping 21.6 average over six games.
However, so far, it could be even better.
Last year’s team was the fourth seed in the tournament and didn’t even reach the Big East Tournament title game.
They have only lost once this tournament at full strength, and will face fifth-place San Diego State 33-3 in the Sweet 16 on Thursday.
“What’s been so impressive to me about UConn is when they have to bring in five new players, the culture and standard that they play continues with three new starters. It’s really impressive. That’s true,” Donovan said. “There are different challenges that you deal with. I had to endure the pressure of being unranked and being number one. [after winning a championship].
“They’re dealing with the pressure of winning a championship and having three new starters. That’s why I end up talking to the characters on the show.”
Florida had high expectations for the 2006-07 season, starting the season in first place in the preseason.
Even after winning, Donovan noticed that his men were upset and disappointed because they didn’t win by a large enough point margin.
Greatness was expected.
He recalled that staff had to work aggressively behind the scenes to keep local runners for agents and cronies away from the players.
That said, Donovan didn’t have to deal with name, image, likeness, transfer portal or social media.
“I always told my players, you know the first thing that happens when you win a national championship?” They strung a rope around the court. Well, no one is allowed in, so why let anyone in now? Donovan said. “If we win, the court will be roped off and we will be inside the rope with our teammates. So now we have to leave everything outside the rope.
“They need to be reminded of that on a regular basis: What’s getting in their way, what are they allowing to get distracted? It’s all about distractions, focus, concentration, And it’s about the details and clearing your head. I think we need to talk about that a lot.”
When asked if he was interested in either direction, Donovan said he supported Harley because of their relationship going back several years.
They became acquainted when Hurley was a high school coach at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, and Donovan scouted his players.
But he’s not necessarily rooting for Connecticut to win it all or for his Florida team to be in the final group for a repeat.
He’s too close to too many coaches still alive in the NCAA Tournament.
Donovan admittedly hasn’t watched much of the game against Connecticut due to his busy schedule with the Bulls, so it will be difficult to compare the two teams.
That being said, he finds it hard to imagine his college team being better than the Gators’ team.
“One thing about our team is that this is the first time in the history of the game that three players from one team were taken in the top 10 of the NBA Draft,” he said. “I’ll leave it at that.”
