How the Lakers’ coaching search turned embarrassing; Panthers take 2-0 series lead with a dominant Game 2 win

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THE UCONN HUSKIES

The best coach in men’s college basketball isn’t going anywhere, and neither is his two-time reigning-champion program. Dan Hurley spurned a reported six-year, $70 million offer from the Lakers to stay at UConn.

Hurley emerged as the top contender for Los Angeles’ vacancy last week, and we spilled plenty of (virtual) ink on why he’d be a great fit with the Lakers thanks to his creative, modern offense. He demands excellence and gets it.

He’s going to continue getting it at UConn, making UConn an obvious “winner” in our winners and losers column. The Huskies — seeking the first three-peat since 1967-73 UCLA — have a strong group for Hurley to lead.

• Alex Karaban returned after testing NBA Draft waters.
• Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson were key role players on last year’s team, and Solomon Ball and Jaylin Stewart should step up.
• UConn added key transfers Aidan Mahaney (Saint Mary’s) and Tarris Reed (Michigan), ranked 40th and 80th, respectively, in Kyle Boone’s transfer portal rankings.
• Liam McNeeley, Ahmad Nowell and Isaiah Abraham are incoming freshmen. All three were top-100 recruits per 247Sports, with McNeeley, a late addition, ranked 10th.

Gary Parrish says Hurley made the right decision. It’s a huge win for college basketball — superstars staying put is always good for a league, and Hurley is a superstar coach — and I can’t wait to see what Hurley and his team have in store.

👍 Honorable mentions

🏀 And not…