Storrs – Dynasty.

It’s the word that motivates the UConn men’s basketball team every single day.

The Huskies all wear wristbands with the word “Dynasty” on it.

They also have t-shirts that feature the program’s mantra this season, like the one that graduate guard Hassan Diarra wore to media availability on Tuesday. All six national championships are listed.

They’re embracing the enormous challenge of trying for an historic three-peat ahead as they begin the 2024-25 season by hosting Sacred Heart at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Gampel Pavilion.

“That’s what we’re chasing,” redshirt junior Alex Karaban said. “To win three in a row, that’s a dynasty for sure. It’s definitely a great mantra for us. The mantra has always been something important to us and something that reminds us every single day what we’re trying to achieve and what we’re putting forward every single day in practice.

“It’s been huge for us. At least for myself, I really like it. It’s cool, for sure.”

Another reminder of the program’s success will be unveiled during a pre-game ceremony on Wednesday, as national championship banner No. 6 earned last April will be put on display.

The third-ranked Huskies will soak in the special moment and then move on.

“It’s not lost on us what we’ve done,” Hurley said. “We do turn the page quickly. We’re always moving forward. We take moments, too – like maybe 90 seconds – to enjoy this one. … You can’t take for granted what we’ve been able to do the last two years.”

Once the game starts, the Huskies will look like an entirely different team after losing four starters to the NBA ranks.

Karaban, Diarra and Samson Johnson are the only three returning players that saw significant action during the dominant NCAA tournament run. Members of the sophomore class will be expected to take big leaps from last season.

The Huskies added five newcomers – Aidan Mahaney and Tarris Reed Jr. out of the transfer portal and freshmen Ahmad Nowell, Liam McNeeley and Isaiah Abraham.

The season opener is just the first small step in a long growth process.

“We’re not the team that people remember watching in March or April,” Hurley said. “We’re not that same team. Just like last year’s team, this team is going to get so much better as the year goes on.

“In the interim, you win this time of year by being tough and together, defending, rebounding, until your team is functioning at an optimal level.”

While the roster has undergone big changes, the goal remains the same.

Hurley started talking about going for a three-peat shortly after UConn beat Purdue to capture the national championship.

During the summer, Hurley set the tone during a team meeting. He read the definition of dynasty out loud.

“He broke down the definition and we got wristbands with it and shirts with it,” Karaban said. “So really it’s just really stuck around everywhere. … It’s something we pretty much think about all the team.”

Diarra explained what the dynasty mantra meant to him.

“This is exactly what our season is meant to be, honestly,” Diarra said. “We’re chasing a dynasty. That last time this has been was the (John) Wooden days, and that was a great dynasty and a legendary coach with some legendary players. We want to be part of that history.”

UConn will be playing an opponent in Sacred Heart that it has never lost to in the series history. About the only advantage is Pioneers will have is a game under their belt. They lost at Temple, 81-70, Monday.

The Huskies believe they have the talent level to chase another championship.

“There’s a lot of excitement,” Diarra said. “We’re looking really good. We’ve been progressing the last couple of weeks. We’re feeling really good.”

Hurley will be the most nervous person on the team in the hours leading up to the start of Wednesday’s game.

“Most of our players, they probably don’t have much nerves going,” Hurley said. “Coaches are way more nervous. Especially the first couple games of the year because you don’t know your team.”

UConn is dealing with some minor health issues.

Sophomore Jayden Ross is day to day with an ankle issue. McNeeley recently returned to practice after missing time with a calf injury.

“He’s feeling great and he’s been able to get multiple days of live practice,” Hurley said of McNeeley. “So we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”

g.keefe@theday.com

No. 3 UConn vs. Sacred Heart

Location: Gampel Pavilion, Storrs

Tip time: 7 p.m. (FS1)

Records: UConn 0-0, Sacred Heart 0-1

Last game: Sacred Heart lost season opener 81-70 at Temple on Monday

Series: UConn leads, 7-0, winning every game by double digits and the last meeting 89-67 in 2019

Probable starters, UConn, 6-2 grad guard Hassan Diarra, 6-3 so. guard Solo Ball, 6-3 grad guard Aidan Mahaney, 6-8 r-jr. Alex Karaban, 6-10 sr. center Samson Johnson,

Sacred Heart, 6-1 fr. guard Mekhi Conner (5 pts, 5 assists), 6-4 r-jr. guard Aidan Carpenter (11 pts, 3 rebs), 6-6 r-jr. forward Tanner Thomas (22 pts, 4 rebs), 6-6 grad forward Bryce Johnson (10 pts, 11 rebs), 6-8 r-jr. forward Raymond Espinal-Guzman (6 pts, 7 rebs)

Noteworthy: Season opener and national championship banner-unveiling night for the Huskies. … UConn went 37-3 season, winning 27 of the last 28 including 13 straight. … Karaban only returning starter. … Newcomers include Mahaney, Tarris Reed Jr., Isaiah Abraham, Liam McNeeley, Ahmad Nowell. … Sacred Heart shot 42.6 percent in opener, had 16 turnovers and got out-rebounded by two. … Pioneers have moved from the Northeast Conference to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. They return two starters from last season’s 16-16 team. … Top reserve: 6-3 sr. guard Amiri Stewart (13 pts, 3 rebs). … Huskies went 16-0 at Gampel and XL Center last season and won 27 of the last 28 games in Storrs. They’re 21-1 in non-conference games the previous two seasons. … Up next: UConn hosts New Hampshire 8 p.m. Saturday at the XL Center in Hartford.