Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
UConn’s Dan Hurley ejected from win over Villanova for riling up the crowd
By ADAM ZAGORIA
UConn’s Dan Hurley is an emotional coach known for riling up his players — and the officials.
But getting ejected for riling up the crowd?
That’s a new one.
The fiery UConn coach received his second technical foul and was ejected by official James Breeding from UConn’s 71-69 win over Villanova Tuesday night in Hartford because he….well, he fired up the crowd.
“It was surreal. I was stunned,” Hurley said. “I guess I’ll wait to see what the Big East (does). I’m very eager to find out from the head of officials what the explanation was.”
Excuse my language: But you've got to be f**ING kidding me. Dan Hurley gets a second technical, and ejected for… riling up the crowd.
Associate head coach Kimani Young took over after Hurley was ejected in the first half and guided the Huskies to the win, thanks to a right-handed layup by the left-handed R.J. Cole in the final seconds. The fans of red-hot UConn (20-7, 11-5 Big East) stormed the court after the win.
Athletic directors would do well to keep Young in mind for head coaching vacancies going forward. He’s a terrific recruiter who has landed some top prospects out of both New York and Hurley’s home state of New Jersey — and now has guided the Huskies to a critical win over Big East power Villanova, pulling UConn within two games of first place.
.@UConnMBB associate head coach Kimani Young took over last night after Dan Hurley was ejected and led the Huskies to a 71-69 win over No. 8 @NovaMBB
In addition to being a terrific recruiter, the guy can coach, too. ADs would be wise to have this guy on their short lists. pic.twitter.com/PFHHhFDQur
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
