Sports

Arizona State Hoops Coach Refused To Shake Opposition’s Hand After Rivalry Game Ended In Ejections

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Arizona State basketball coach Bobby Hurley on the bench.

© Cheryl Evans/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


The Arizona State basketball team fell to archrival Arizona on Saturday, 81-72. That contest ended with technical fouls after a heated exchange late in the action.

Wildcats star Caleb Love was taken off the court after getting headbutted by a Sun Devils player. It led to a domino effect of actions by coach Bobby Hurley in the moments that followed.

The headbutt resulted in a pair of ejections with just 30 seconds left to play. With the game all but decided, referees opted to kick both players out rather than allow tensions to rise further.

When the final buzzer did sound, Bobby Hurley exited the court without going through the postgame handshake line. He refused to shake any Wildcats’ hand. He later called Arizona classless for their trash talk throughout the night.

Caleb Love played a large part in the win, scoring a game-high 27 points to go along with seven assists. It only continued an incredible season in which he’s averaging 16.2 points per night.

His performance has earned him a seat at the table for possible Big 12 Player of the Year honors. He won’t be getting an All-Big 12 Team vote from Bobby Hurley, however.

After watching the on-court exchange play out, Hurley pettily announced his refusal to vote for Love when it comes time to name the postseason award winners.

The ending to the contest only added to the hate experienced in the rivalry series. Arizona got bragging rights this time around. The two teams will meet again on the court next month.