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.”
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.
Photo: John Fanta
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