Purdue star Zach Edey and Dan Hurley get into heated exchange during NCAA championship game as fans slam the fiery UConn head coach for his ‘classless behavior’
- Edey being berated by Hurley was in response to a legal but harsh choice
- Hurley wasn’t disciplined for taking the field, but the fans didn’t like it
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UConn head coach Dan Hurley and Purdue star Zach Edey got into a heated argument in the first half of Monday’s NCAA championship game after the 7-foot-2 behemoth launched a devastating attack on Huskies’ guard Stephon Castle.
Before the game tilted heavily in the Huskies’ favor, the first half was back and forth with several ties and lead changes. During one of those closely contested sequences, Edey was leveling Castle.
During the start of the ensuing television timeout, Hurley came onto the court to confront Edey, who was already walking away toward the Purdue bench.
The broadcast didn’t pick up what either man said, but based on body language, they weren’t congratulating each other on making it to the title game.
Even with Hurley’s reputation as a maniac, fans denounced the coach’s actions for confronting Edey on what was a legal play by the Boilermaker big man.
Hurley has a fiery reputation but had never previously shown anger towards an opponent
Edey and Hurley exchanged words during the first half of Monday’s national championship game
“Dan Hurley is insufferable,” one college basketball fan said on social media.
“Actually, Hurley came out to Edey. Growing up as a student. Stylish,” said someone else on X.
“Dan Hurley remains incredibly unlikely,” one social media user added.
‘In what world do referees let a coach come over to say something to the opponents? No other coach would act like that,” another fan concluded.
A collection of social media posts from college basketball fans about Hurley’s behavior
Whatever drive Dan Hurley shows is motivating his team, as it won a straight NCAA Tournament game by double digits, beating Purdue 75-60.
Hurley spent most of the evening yelling at the officials or his players. Yet it was still shocking that he had the interaction with Edey.
Hurley didn’t put his hands on Edey like Alabama’s Nate Oats did with a player earlier this season.
Oats, who coached the Crimson Tide to the Final Four before losing to the Huskies, shoved Missouri player Aidan Shaw during a match in January.