US Edition
Referee Contacted by UConn's Dan Hurley Downplays Elite Eight Incident
Referee Roger Ayers stated the forehead contact with UConn coach Dan Hurley after a key 3-pointer was not an issue and no technical foul was given.
- On Sunday, March 29, 2026, UConn coach Dan Hurley appeared to bump heads with referee Roger Ayers during the Huskies' dramatic Elite Eight victory over Duke. The interaction occurred after freshman Braylon Mullins hit a go-ahead 33-foot jumper with 0.4 seconds remaining.
- Critics questioned whether the contact warranted a technical foul under NCAA rulebook rules prohibiting disrespectful contact with officials. Hurley's combative history with referees intensified scrutiny, as he was ejected earlier this month against Marquette after making contact with referee John Gaffney.
- ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg reported speaking with Ayers on Monday, who said "nothing happened" and "literally didn't know what I was talking about" regarding the exchange. Greenberg noted the referee viewed the interaction as normal.
- The NCAA announced its 11 officials for the Final Four on Monday, excluding Ayers from the tournament's final rounds. Ayers is a veteran referee who has officiated seven Final Fours previously, including last year's.
- UConn now advances to the Final Four in Indianapolis, where the Huskies will face Illinois on Saturday. Coach Hurley aims to lead the team to a third national title in four seasons, having won back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Referee Speaks Out About Dan Hurley Headbutting Him in Viral Moment After UConn's Game-Winning Basket
The Huskies coach, who describes himself as "quirky," was seen celebrating in his own way after his team improbably clinched a Final Four berth by beating Duke in the Elite EightDan HurleyCredit: March Madness/YouTubeNEED TO KNOWUConn coach Dan Hurley headbutted a referee after his team took the late lead on SundayHurley was seen interacting with official Roger Ayers just after Braylon Mullins hit a logo-3 to put the Huskies aheadLater, Hurley w…
Referee explains what really happened in strange March Madness moment with Dan Hurley after UConn heroics
Dan Hurley had a bizarre reaction to Braylon Mullins' 30-plus foot game-winning shot to put his team up for good, 73-72 against the Duke Blue Devils, when Hurley looked at referee Roger Ayers and dug his forehead into the game official.
CBB Ref Downplays Dan Hurley Trending Video After UConn Buzzer-Beater vs. Duke, 'Absolutely Nothing'
Dan Hurley appeared to have a heated exchange with an official after UConn's Elite Eight win over Duke on Sunday, but it turns out the stare-down from Hurley wasn't what it seemed.
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