UConn Loses Its Cool, Then Loses a Game. Dan Hurley Shares His Thoughts Afterward

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Dan Hurley fell. So did UConn. Hurley, the often-fiery coach of the two-time defending national champions, was livid over an over-the-back call in the final minute of overtime in what became No. 2 UConn’s 99-97 loss to Memphis on Monday in the opening round of the Maui Invitational. The foul was called on UConn’s Liam McNeeley on an offensive rebound in what was a tie game with 40.3 seconds remaining. Hurley dropped to his knees and got a technical foul, and Memphis’ PJ Carter made all four free throws — two for the personal, two for the technical — to put the Tigers ahead for good. With that, UConn’s 17-game winning streak dating back to last season was over. The fireworks were not. “I had a lot of issues with what went on out there in the game,” Hurley said. “That over-the-back call at that point of the game, there was no attempt to block out. There was a player on Memphis that made a half-assed effort to rebound that basketball and Liam McNeely high-pointed that rebound. For that call to be made at that point of the game was a complete joke.”Hurley then offered an explanation for his falling-to-the-floor move.