Hurley’s Frustration Boils Over After UConn’s Tournament Exit: "Hope They Don’t F— You Like They F—ed Us"
Dan Hurley, the typically fiery head coach of the UConn Huskies, didn’t hold back his feelings after his team’s narrow 77-75 loss to the Florida Gators in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The defeat, which ended UConn’s hopes of achieving a historic three-peat championship run, left Hurley visibly frustrated, particularly with the officiating. His frustration culminated in a passionate outburst directed towards the Baylor Bears, a team preparing to face a No. 1 seed of their own, the Duke Blue Devils.
The Huskies, who entered the tournament as a team that battled their way in, found themselves just short against the top-seeded Gators from the West Region. The loss was a bitter pill to swallow, and Hurley made sure his displeasure was known.
According to reports, as Hurley walked through the tunnel following the game, he yelled, "Hope they don’t f— you like they f—ed us. I hope they don’t do that to you, Baylor." The blunt and intense nature of Hurley’s remarks is characteristic of his personality, a trait that has become a hallmark of his coaching style.
Following the game, Hurley addressed reporters, elaborating on his issues with the officiating. He specifically pointed to a play late in the game where UConn’s Alex Karaban drove to the basket and appeared to be fouled by a Florida player, but no call was made. At the time, UConn held a 61-59 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the contest.
"Part of (the emotion) is probably just the season, how tumultuous the season has been," Hurley explained, acknowledging the challenges his team faced throughout the year. He emphasized that the Huskies had to "battle and fight just to qualify for the tournament."
Hurley continued, "And then how the game played out, up three at the last media (timeout) we have two free throw rebound mistakes. With past teams, we’ve had issues like that occur but those games we were up 15-18 so they weren’t so magnified. And obviously, the Karaban drive on the baseline, you know, there was a lot of contact there and we were up one I think at that point or two potentially. I thought that was a big play, too."
A review of the box score revealed that Florida was called for fewer fouls than UConn, 17 to 24. However, the Gators struggled at the free throw line, converting only 22 of their 34 attempts. The Huskies, on the other hand, missed three of their 22 free throw attempts. These missed opportunities, combined with the perceived missed foul call, clearly weighed heavily on Hurley’s mind.
"I think when we go back and watch this film on the flight back today, I think its going to be crushing looking at those free throw rebound plays again, looking at the Karaban finish on the baseline with a no call on that," Hurley stated, anticipating the added frustration that would come from re-watching the game film.
Florida, as a No. 1 seed, entered the tournament as one of the favorites to contend for the national championship. However, many believed that UConn, despite their up-and-down season, possessed the potential to upset the Gators and make a deep tournament run. The Huskies’ near-upset served as a testament to their resilience and talent.
Hurley’s outburst in the tunnel, while certainly controversial, underscored the passion and dedication he has for his team. It also highlighted the pressure and intensity that come with the NCAA Tournament, where every possession and every call can have a significant impact on the outcome.
The loss marked the end of UConn’s quest for a third consecutive national title, a feat that would have placed them among the most legendary dynasties in college basketball history. Instead, the team will return to Storrs, Connecticut, and begin preparations for the 2025-26 season, hoping to once again contend for a championship.
While Hurley’s comments may draw scrutiny from some, they also resonate with many who believe that officiating inconsistencies can play a significant role in determining the winners and losers of college basketball games, especially in high-stakes environments like the NCAA Tournament. His raw emotion and candid assessment of the situation reflect a coach who is deeply invested in his team and fiercely protective of his players. Whether his words were appropriate or not, they undeniably captured the frustration and disappointment felt by the UConn Huskies and their fans after a heartbreaking defeat. The incident serves as a reminder of the intense emotions that fuel college basketball and the passionate figures who lead these teams.
