Dan Hurley Calls Out Officiating After UConn's Loss In Maui Monday
Dan Hurley blamed the referees for UConn's Maui Invitational loss to Memphis.
Hurley lost his temper late in a 99-97 overtime defeat. With the game tied in the closing minute, UConn forward Liam McNeeley got called for an over-the-back foul while attempting to secure a rebound. The Huskies head coach furiously shouted at officials until he received a technical foul.
After the stunning loss, Hurley blasted the late loose-ball foul.
"I had a lot of issues with what went on out there in the game," Hurley said, via The Field of 68. "That over-the-back call at that point of the game — there was no attempt to block out. There was a player on Memphis that made a half-a** effort to rebound that basketball, and Liam McNeeley high-pointed that rebound. For that call to be made at that point of the game was a complete joke."
Hurley suggested he "lost my balance by the absurdity of the call" and questioned the credentials of a crew that called 31 personal fouls on UConn.
"I've never seen the one ref before. I didn't even know he was a college ref," he said. "I'm familiar with the other two, so I'm not surprised."
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - APRIL 08: Head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies argues with officials in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Hurley didn't take accountability for his technical foul, which cost UConn two points in a two-point loss. Instead, per Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, he pointed to the "s****y calls."
"I don't know too many back-to-back national championship teams that get that type of a whistle," he said.
However, Hurley also acknowledged his heated reaction by comparing his performance to Oppenheimer.
Hurley's technical helped Memphis take a four-point lead with 40 seconds remaining. The upset halted UConn's 17-game winning streak dating back to last season.
Meanwhile, Penny Hardway's Tigers improved to 5-0 after shooting 54.7 percent from the floor (29-of-53) and 54.5 percent (12-of-22) from three-point range. Tyrese Hunter scored 26 points on the strength of seven triples.
Hurley and the Huskies must regain their composure before Tuesday's game against Colorado, which tips off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
