Dan Hurley Celebrates Victory
Dan Hurley is at it again.
On Sunday, an unusual moment unfolded during a game as Braylon Mullins scored the decisive three-pointer against Duke, propelling the Huskies into the Final Four.
With just 0.4 seconds on the clock, Mullins sank the shot, prompting Hurley to scream in excitement, lift his arms, and embrace his coaching staff in jubilation.
He then moved further down the bench, close enough to one of the referees.
Instead of just passing by or saying a word, Hurley seemed to pause—he pressed his forehead against the referee before leaving the area.
This act led many fans to speculate that it might have warranted a technical foul for the Huskies, who ended the game with a score of 73-72.
One fan expressed, “If he had gotten the tech, he’d probably regret it forever. He was lucky to be an umpire and chill.” I wrote on X.
Another user commented, “How could they not give him a T for that? It’s ridiculous. I really dislike Duke, but this guy is just—well, you know.” someone else remarked.
Despite his odd antics, Hurley’s influence was crucial for the Huskies to remain competitive in the game.
At halftime, Duke held a strong lead, 44-29, and was ahead by as much as 19 points in the first half.
The Huskies managed to claw their way back, initially struggling from long range but eventually sinking four out of their last five three-point attempts—including Mullins’ critical shot.
They also capitalized on Duke’s struggles, forcing 13 turnovers and scoring 20 points off those mistakes.
Ultimately, Mullins’ shot not only secured the win but also brought his game total to 10 points. Currently, he’s averaging 11.9 points with a shooting percentage of 43.4 in his freshman year.
Hurley reflected on the victory, comparing it to a larger narrative of UConn’s season, marked by unexpected challenges that brought them to a 33-5 record and a spot in the Final Four.
“This is yet another dramatic chapter in the UConn-Duke NCAA Tournament history,” Hurley noted after the game. “We demonstrated resilience and grit, overcoming the ups and downs of the season. I think the game really mirrored that. We fought and positioned ourselves to capitalize on our opponents’ errors.”
If the Huskies advance, they will face Illinois State and potentially either Arizona State or Michigan State in the Final Four.
