UConn head coach Dan Hurley was in the spotlight once again on Tuesday night during the Huskies’ 80-78 overtime win over the Butler Bulldogs.
Late in the first half, Hurley felt there should have been a foul on a defensive rebound attempt. He was caught on camera telling the officials, “Don’t turn your back on me. I’m the best coach in the (expletive) sport.”
Hurley also expressed his frustration with the TV cameras frequently pivoting to him when he has his outbursts at the officials.
“The TV likes me,” Hurley said, per Yahoo Sports. “I just wish they’d put their camera on the other coach more…I just wish they would show these other coaches losing their mind at the officials in other Big East games that I’m coaching. I look, going into a timeout when I’m not talking to officials, I see the other coaches as demonstrative as I am.”
The Huskies led by as many as 15 points in the first half and held a 39-31 lead at the break. However, Butler clawed its way back into the game and even took a two-point lead before UConn pulled out the overtime win.
One reason for Hurley’s frustration stems from the team’s three-game losing streak in November’s Maui Invitational when the Huskies were outshot by 50 at the free throw line. The Huskies continue to lose the free throw battle, highlighted by Butler’s 28 attempts at the charity stripe on Tuesday night compared to UConn’s 14.
There have been multiple instances of UConn players being held while trying to run its off-ball actions in the half court. For instance, on UConn’s final play of regulation against Butler, the Huskies tried to get the ball in junior forward Alex Karaban’s hands. Instead, he was held by Butler’s Jahmyl Telfort, forcing point guard Hassan Diarra to put up a desperation heave before the shot clock expired.
Regardless, Hurley is right about other coaches berating officials and griping about non-calls. It happens all the time in the sport, but it seems Hurley is consistently in the spotlight anytime he shows emotion and the cameras are quick to capture those moments for everyone’s viewing pleasure.
Whatever your thoughts are about Hurley and the UConn program, you cannot deny the energy and passion he brings to the sideline and the talent he possesses. Tuesday night was just another example of his antics being caught on camera, which made for an interesting press conference, to say the least.
