UConn coach Dan Hurley’s feelings practically value his program a visit to the Final Four this previous Sunday.
After Braylon Mullins made a 3-pointer to present UConn a 73-72 lead with 0.4 seconds remaining, Hurley bumped heads with official Roger Ayers. This wild interplay practically stole all of the headlines, which is kind of spectacular contemplating Mullins drained a 35-footer for the win.
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Even although Hurley made contact with Ayers, he wasn’t assessed a technical foul. If that occurred, Duke may’ve received the sport within the closing second of regulation.
For what it is price, former NFL referee Terry McAulay had an enormous downside with Ayers refusing to present Hurley a technical foul on this spot.
“Under no circumstances should behavior like this go unpenalized, regardless of the sport or game situation,” McAulay said. “Not unexpected by this coach. Deeply disappointed the official didn’t do his job.”
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Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley celebrates after a play towards the Duke Blue Devils within the second half throughout an Elite Eight sport of the East Regional of the boys’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images© Amber Searls-Imagn Images
(© Amber Searls-Imagn Images)
CBS guidelines analyst and former NFL official Gene Steratore had a a lot completely different tackle this case. He believes Ayers made the suitable choice to let Hurley off the hook.
“Having reffed both sports at a very high level, I can tell you that the atmosphere in basketball and dealing with coaches is very different,” Steratore wrote on social media.
“It’s all game long, a constant back and forth, and there is a mutual understanding between basketball refs and coaches. It’s part of what makes reffing it so much fun. I’m happy that Roger Ayers (who always referees games at a Final Four level) handled the end of the game the way that he did. This was not a confrontational situation. Uconn hit a buzzer beater a few seconds before the viral moment between Ayers and Hurley.
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Dan Hurley shared his side to the story.
During an appearance on the “Triple Option” podcast, Hurley said his interaction with Ayers wasn’t supposed to be hostile at all. In fact, he thought the referee was coming over to celebrate Mullins’ incredible shot.
“Really, at that time within the sport, we had it received,” Hurley said. “And [Ayers is] such a straightforward man to work with through the sport, that I believed he was coming over to chest-bump me to rejoice the shot.”
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Hurley shall be beneath the microscope this Saturday when UConn takes on Illinois within the Final Four. It’s protected to say he’ll have to be on his finest habits.
This story was initially revealed by The Spun on Apr 2, 2026, the place it first appeared within the College Basketball part. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.