Sports

Referee (Allegedly) Responds To Controversial Dan Hurley Exchange Through Questionable Source

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by Last Updated

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Dan Hurley made headlines with his reaction to UConn’s game-winning shot to beat Duke in the Elite Eight. The head coach appeared to make contact with an official. Was a technical foul warranted?

Referee Roger Ayers, the man on the other end of the controversial exchange, offered his side of the story. It was nothing… That is, if you believe college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg.

The moment came near the end of the Huskies‘ epic NCAA Tournament comeback. Had it been ruled in the opposite manner, it would’ve likely spoiled the celebration.

Dan Hurley made contact with a referee.

Video captured the coach during the final play of his team’s victory. Down by two points, UConn turned Duke over with under 10 seconds remaining. Braylon Mullins then sank a three-pointer to gain the lead.

The shot gave the Huskies a one-point advantage with 0.3 seconds remaining. They’d win 73-72.

Social media erupted upon seeing Hurley stare down the official. Many believe he violated NCAA rules.

A Class A Unsporting Technical Infraction occurs if bench personnel commit an unsportsmanlike act to include:

Disrespectfully contacting an official or making a threat of physical intimidation or harm to include pushing, shoving, spitting, or attempting to make physical contact with an official.

–Rule 10 / Section 3 / Art. 2h

Roger Ayers has since responded to the viral moment. He downplayed the exchange according to Seth Greenberg.

Greenberg, a former coach, is familiar with Roger Ayers. He reached out for clarity after the fact.

According to the analyst, the referee said “nothing happened” to warrant a technical foul. He said it was a normal interaction, though to some, it seemed anything but.

Greenberg says it was simply social media stirring the pot due to Hurley’s reputation. His reporting on the event, however, has been called into question.

Is Seth Greenberg a mouthpiece?

He’s been accused of blindly defending Dan Hurley’s antics with officials in the past. One example came after an on-court tirade last season.

Despite an overwhelmingly negative response to that interaction by ESPN co-hosts, Greenberg sided with Hurley.

“He is good for the sport of basketball. Just like Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) was when he was doing similar things, just like Gary Williams was, just like Jim Boeheim was. It is what it is.”

Greenberg chalked that particular exchange up to Hurley being Hurley. He’s ready to write off this latest interaction, too.

Given the history, many are doubtful Greenberg even spoke to Ayers. “Seth is either insane or lying,” one follower wrote.

Others took the comments with a grain of salt. They believe Ayers didn’t want to make the final moment about him, which was probably the right decision. No one wants a game of that magnitude to be decided by officials.

Regardless, the moment was awkward. It did not cost UConn. They’ll next face off against Illinois in the Final Four with a national title appearance on the line.

With Greenberg detailing Ayers’ explanation, everyone can now move on.