Dan Hurley shares what drew him to Adama Sanogo

Dan Hurley couldn’t be happier to have Adama Sanogo leading the Connecticut Huskies on an all-too-familiar NCAA Tournament run.

Throughout the Huskies’ run to the Elite Eight, Sanogo has been the constant. First, he scored 28 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in their Round of 64 showdown against Iona. Then, he helped get Connecticut to the second weekend, defeating Saint Mary’s by a score of 70-55 and contributing 24 points and eight rebounds to the effort.

Then, Hurley’s squad truly announced to the world that they’re a force to be reckoned with when they obliterated the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sweet Sixteen. The final score may read 88-65, but it wasn’t even that close, as Sanogo’s 18 points and eight rebounds helped propel Connecticut to the Elite Eight.

Now, only the Gonzaga Bulldogs remain in the way of the Huskies and the Final Four in Houston. After clinching their spot in the Elite Eight, Hurley waxed poetic about Sanogo, speaking of not just the player, but the person he is.

“Adama the person is — there’s that rare individual in terms of intangible qualities,” started Hurley. “Obviously he’s got tremendous physical strength and touch and athletic abilities. But he’s got a tremendous makeup.

“His work ethic, off the charts. His competitive will, off the charts. He’s got tremendous working character. And just the guy’s a warrior. And he’s a guy that values winning more than anything else.”

That’s the type of player you want leading your team in March. It’s how Connecticut has won titles in the past with players like Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier, and Sanogo is hoping to add his name to that elite company.

However, the aforementioned Gonzaga squad in their way are full of ballers, as well. Drew Timme has been to the Final Four before and he’s itching to get back, and the matchup between the Bulldogs star and the Huskies leader will be a fascinating one to watch play out.

Ahead of the game, Connecticut is getting plenty of respect from Las Vegas odds makers, as the Huskies will enter Saturday’s showdown as 2.5-point favorites. Regardless, the NCAA Tournament, especially this year’s iteration, has taught us that doesn’t mean much.

Tipoff between Connecticut and Gonzaga will come at 8:49 p.m. ET on TBS — a primetime slot for a heavyweight matchup. Dan Hurley and Adama Sanogo have dreams of another Huskies title, and they could get one step closer on Saturday night.