Add one other chapter to UConn coach Dan Hurley’s combative historical past with officers simply as March Madness is approaching.
Hurley was ejected from the fourth-ranked Huskies’ 68-62 loss to Marquette on Saturday after choosing up two technical fouls with one second remaining. Hurley argued that UConn’s Silas Demary Jr. was fouled by Marquette’s Ben Gold whereas driving to the basket with the Huskies trailing 64-62.
The Huskies coach approached John Gaffney and received his chest subsequent to the official’s proper shoulder whereas voicing his displeasure. Hurley stated he by no means ran into Gaffney, although some replays recommended in any other case.
“You could screenshot whatever you want to screenshot,” Hurley stated. “I don’t feel like I made any contact with John. I don’t believe I did.”
No foul was referred to as on Demary’s driving try. Marquette’s Chase Ross received the rebound, was fouled and made 4 of six free throws to seal the victory that prevented UConn from sharing the Big East regular-season title with No. 18 St. John’s. Two of the free throws had been the results of the foul on the ground, and the opposite 4 had been from the technical fouls.
Hurley stated he yelled, “Foul! Foul!” towards the again of Gaffney’s head arguing for a name on Gold. But he repeatedly stated that he did not consider he ran into the official. Cameras confirmed Hurley shaking his head as he headed off the ground after the ejection.
The Big East fined Hurley $25,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct, the convention introduced Saturday evening.
“We hold our coaches to high standards of sportsmanlike conduct during game competition, and inappropriate interactions with our officials will not be tolerated,” Big East commissioner Val Ackerman stated in a press release.
Since Hurley did not consider he made any bodily contact with the official, he did not count on to face any further self-discipline heading into the Big East match that begins Wednesday in New York. UConn is ready to be taught which workforce it is going to face in Thursday’s quarterfinals.
“I’ve been ejected before, and I’ve been back out there,” Hurley stated. “It’s not my first rodeo.”
That’s actually true.
As Hurley has cemented his standing as one of many recreation’s high coaches by main UConn to back-to-back nationwide titles in 2023 and 2024, his frequent run-ins with officers have turn into common sights on social media. Perhaps probably the most notable instance got here final 12 months, when cameras confirmed Hurley vocally criticizing the officiating as he walked into the tunnel after UConn’s NCAA match loss to Florida.
“Listen, the officiating for us, it is what it is in this league,” Hurley stated. “I’m not going to comment on that.”
Hurley had simply completed making that remark when he added that the second foul referred to as on UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr. on Saturday was “a joke” and “a really bad call.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
