UConn head coach Dan Hurley appeared to let the tension of the occasion get to him during the Huskies’ championship game against Purdue.
The Huskies steamrolled their way to a back-to-back national title with a 75-60 victory over the Boilermakers in Phoenix Monday.
However, despite the dominant victory, Hurley couldn’t manage to keep his cool as he was captured letting the tension boil over on the broadcast.
Hurley appeared to shove his own player, Cam Spencer, in an attempt to reposition him as the guard dribbled late on in the matchup.
Officials frown upon coaches making contact with players – even their own – during game time and Hurley’s actions cost UConn a turnover.
UConn head coach Dan Hurley shoves his own player during the national championship game
Hurley let the tension of the occasion get the better of him at times throughout the game
It ultimately didn’t matter as on the subsequent Purdue possession, Spencer got a blocked shot and UConn’s lead was well protected.
It wasn’t the first time, Hurley’s emotions ran a little too high. He and Purdue star Zach Edey got into a heated exchange during the first half after the 7-foot-4 behemoth set a devastating pick on Huskies’ guard Stephon Castle.
Before the game heavily tilted in the Huskies’ favor, the first half was back and forth with several ties and lead changes. During one of those closely contested sequences was Edey leveling Castle.
During the start of the ensuing television timeout, Hurley came onto the court to confront Edey, who was already walking away towards the Purdue bench.
The broadcast did not pick up what either man said, but based on body language, they were not congratulating each other on making it to the title game.
Even with Hurley’s reputation as a maniac, fans slammed the coach’s actions for confronting Edey on what was a legal play from the Boilermaker’s big man.
Despite shoving Cam Spencer (pictured), the Hurley and the Huskies maintained their lead
Edey and Hurley exchanged words during the first half of Monday’s national championship
‘Dan Hurley is insufferable,’ one college basketball fan said on social media.
‘Actually Hurley came out to jaw at Edey. Grown adult at a college student. Classy,’ another person stated on X.
‘Dan Hurley continues to be incredibly unlikable,’ a social-media user added.
‘In what world are the refs allowing a coach come on the floor to say something to the opposing players. No other coach would act this way,’ another fan concluded.
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