MILWAUKEE — The Big East Conference did not waste any time in announcing a $25,000 fine for UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley after his ejection in the closing seconds of Saturday’s 68-62 loss at Marquette.
Hurley argued a no-call on a drive to the basket from point guard Silas Demary Jr. that could’ve tied the game with one second left in regulation. The Huskies’ head coach was immediately assessed two technical fouls and ejected “for aggressively confronting a game official,” according to a release from the league later Saturday night, which added that he “failed to leave the court in a timely manner.”
Dan Hurley ejected as late run from UConn men comes up short in costly 68-62 loss at Marquette
It appeared on the TV broadcast that Hurley made contact with a chest bump as he approached referee John Gaffney to argue the no-call, “However, a review by the conference office of the officials’ game report and available game footage could not confirm physical contact,” according to the league.
“I don’t think that I bumped the official,” Hurley said after the game. “I think I yelled into the back of his head, ‘Foul! Foul!’”
“We hold our coaches to high standards of sportsmanlike conduct during game competition, and inappropriate interactions with our officials will not be tolerated,” said Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman.
There was no suspension and Hurley is expected to be on the sidelines on Thursday night when the Huskies play their Big East quarterfinal at Madison Square Garden
