UConn coach Dan Hurley was left fuming after his team’s heartbreaking 77-75 loss to Florida in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies’ bid for a three-peat was dashed, and Hurley’s frustration was palpable. But what really got his goat was the officiating, which he felt was woefully one-sided.
As he walked off the court, Hurley had some choice words for the Baylor Bears, who are set to face the Duke Blue Devils, another No. 1 seed, in their next game. “Hope they don’t f— you like they f—ed us. I hope they don’t do that to you, Baylor,” he yelled in the tunnel.
Hurley’s ire was specifically directed at a no-call against his player Alex Karaban, who was clearly contacted by a Gators player on a shot attempt late in the game. At the time, UConn was up 61-59 with just over three minutes to play.
The UConn coach’s emotions were still raw as he spoke to reporters after the game. “Part of the emotion is probably just the season, how tumultuous the season has been,” he said. “The team battled and fought just to qualify for the tournament, and then how the game played out, up three at the last media timeout, we have two free throw rebound mistakes”.
Hurley’s warning to Baylor may have been unorthodox, but it was clear he was trying to send a message. As the Bears prepare to face the Blue Devils, they would do well to take heed of Hurley’s words and be prepared for a battle.
