UConn's Hurley Voices Frustration Over Technical Foul in Big East Championship
In a game that was more about the intensity of the Big East Tournament than the scoreboard, UConn's head coach Dan Hurley found himself at odds with the officiating. Midway through the first half at Madison Square Garden, with 12:34 on the clock, UConn's Silas Demary Jr. drove in for a layup and missed. Hurley expected a foul call that never came and expressed his frustration in a way that earned him a technical foul from official James Breeding.
Hurley, known for his passionate coaching style, was visibly surprised by the call. "I was really surprised," he shared post-game.
"I was kind of jumping as Silas was jumping, almost like trying to jump it into the basket because we weren't able to score. Obviously, I don't think you should interpret why a coach has jumped."
This wasn't just about a single call for Hurley. He hinted at a broader issue with how games are officiated in the Big East.
"I've had conversations with the league about a lot of things. There have been plenty of conversations," he noted, alluding to the disparity in fouls and free throw attempts that his team has faced.
Looking at the numbers, UConn has taken 598 free throws in 34 games this season, while their opponents have attempted 740. In Big East play, the Huskies attempted 361 free throws compared to their opponents' 434. That’s an average difference of over four attempts per game.
Despite the 17-14 foul line edge for St. John's not impacting the 72-52 final score, Hurley is eager to move beyond the Big East.
"We know that we play our best basketball in the NCAA Tournament and against non-conference opponents," he remarked. "This is a really, really physical league.
That was a really, really, really physical game. So, we're excited to play in the NCAA Tournament that doesn't get played like that."
As UConn looks ahead to the NCAA Tournament, Hurley and his team are ready to show their prowess on a stage where they believe their style of play can truly shine.