UConn’s Dan Hurley laments the officials after a costly injury, loss to Memphis
The two-time defending state champion Conn. Huskies suffered their first loss of the 2024-25 season on Monday at the hands of the Memphis Tigers.
The team led by Penny Hardaway won in overtime in the quarterfinals of the Maui Invitational, 99-97. UConn coach Dan Hurley may have been responsible for the loss.
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Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts as his team faces the Memphis Tigers during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii, Nov. 25, 2024. (Photos by Marco Garcia-Imagn)
Huskies forward Liam McNeely was called for a foul with 40.3 seconds left in overtime. Hurley insulted one officer, calling him a “f—ing joke.” He was soon hit hard by technology. Memphis’ PJ Carter hit two technical free throws after two were awarded after McNeely fell behind.
UConn’s 17-game winning streak was snapped. Hurley was still hot after the game.
“I had a lot of problems with what happened in the game,” said Hurley. “That shot back at that time of the game, there was no attempt to block it. There was a player in Memphis who made an attempt to try to return that basketball and Liam McNeely pointed up. That call to be made at that time of the game was a complete joke.”
Hurley dropped to his knees after the call and explained that he may have lost his balance.
UConn head coach Dan Hurley reacts on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Memphis at the Maui Invitational on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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“But if I had called at that time, I would have ignored the fact that I had turned my back,” he added. “If I had made that call, I would have ignored that. I would have ignored that. That was a big, obviously, big thing … how can you call that while this game was going on, the way that game was going on. just without me.”
Two more technical fouls were called against UConn during the game. One was on the coach at the start of the matchup, and the other was forward Samson Johnson, who was part of a double technical following an altercation with a Memphis player.
“Samson was being dragged. His jersey was torn. He didn’t get a foul called the whole game,” said Hurley. “He finished the game with his jersey ripped in the middle, but they got him on every call. He’s frustrated. That was crazy, man. He’s crazy.”
Conn entered the game as the No. 4 ranked team in the nation.
Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley, right, reacts to a play with the referee during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Memphis Tigers at the Lahaina Civic Center on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photos by Marco Garcia-Imagn)
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The Huskies will face Colorado on the loser’s side of the bracket.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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