Dan Hurley is not happy.
UConn lost its opening round game at the 2024 Maui Invitational 99–97 in an overtime heartbreaker against Memphis. During the contest, Hurley's sideline antics drew criticism from the college basketball world. His frequent berating of the game's officials was the focus of much of the condemnation.
After the game, Hurley addressed the officiating, including a call that went against UConn freshman Liam McNeeley in overtime. The 51-year-old head coach's reaction to that call earned him a technical foul.
Hurley said, "I had a lot of issues with what went on out there in the game. 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-ass effort to rebound that basketball and Liam McNeeley high-pointed the rebound. For that call to be made at that point of the game was a complete joke."
Hurley wound up on his back in reaction to the call. He addressed that by saying, "For me, I don't know what happened. I might have lost my balance by the absurdity of the call, or maybe I tripped. But if I made that call at that point, I would have ignored the fact that I was on my back."
Dan Hurley's thoughts on today's officiating:
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) November 25, 2024
"I had a lot of issues with what went on. That over-the-back call... there was a Memphis player that made a half-ass effort, Liam McNeeley high-pointed the rebound, and for that call to be made... was a complete joke. I may have lost… pic.twitter.com/w5AxFsZF5d
Here is the play and Hurley's reaction to it that earned him a technical foul:
UConn coach Dan Hurley goes ballistic on the refs after a controversial over-the-back call in OT. Hurley gets T'd up. Huskies go on to lose the game by 2. pic.twitter.com/aBVIjqYp7A
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 25, 2024
UConn fell to 4-1 with the loss, while Memphis improved to 5-0.
More of the Latest Around College Basketball
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Dan Hurley Blasts Officials After UConn's Overtime Loss at Maui Invitational.
