Dan Hurley is slowly making his way into the greatest of all time debates. Appreciation poured in for the UConn Huskies coach following the team’s 71-62 victory over No. 3-seeded Illinois on Saturday to advance to its third consecutive national championship game. ESPN analyst Jay Williams heaped praise on Hurley on Sunday.

“I felt like I was watching a modern day Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) in Dan Hurley, and I heard the terminology of John Wooden being used yesterday,” Williams said on “SportsCenter.” “And I’m like, ‘It’s not that far off.’ I mean, I think we’re watching basketball genius.”

“I never underestimate the genius of Dan Hurley and his coaching and Alex Karaban, who’s obviously been to multiple Final Fours and has won multiple championships. … If UConn wins it, kudos. Hats off to Dan Hurley. He will go down (as a legend in the) books.”

Hurley’s genius was on full display in the Final Four. He used a man-coverage defensive scheme, which is rarely seen in college hoops, to overcome the Fighting Illini’s nation-leading offensive rating.

The No. 2-seeded Huskies are one win away from a historic third title in four years. UConn is set to face No. 1-seeded Michigan on Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

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Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies’ run to NCAA Tournament finals

The college basketball world could bow down to the dominance of Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies for the third time in four seasons on Tuesday.

The team took down Furman 82-71 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. It went on to beat No. 7-seeded UCLA in the second round. The Huskies eliminated No. 3-seeded Michigan State 67-63 in the Sweet 16, and won 73-72 over No. 1-seeded Duke in the Elite Eight.

Hurley has a 2-0 record in the national championship, and is 5-0 in the Final Four after Saturday’s victory.