UConn Coach Credits 'Jersey Boss Lady' Wife for Avoiding Trouble in Wild Finish vs Duke

Andrea Hurley kept the Huskies players from a technical foul after their stunning Elite Eight win over Duke.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors depicting the frenetic energy and emotion of the final seconds of a college basketball game, with players and coaches in a colorful blur.The chaotic final moments of UConn's stunning comeback win over Duke encapsulate the unbridled passion and drama of March Madness.Indianapolis Today

UConn head coach Dan Hurley credited his wife, Andrea, for her quick action in keeping the Huskies players from getting a technical foul after their dramatic last-second win over Duke in the Elite Eight. Hurley called Andrea the 'Jersey boss lady' for grabbing players and using colorful language to make sure they returned to the bench with 0.3 seconds left on the clock, which could have resulted in free throws for Duke.

Why it matters

UConn's comeback victory over Duke was a thrilling March Madness moment, but a technical foul at the end could have swung the outcome. Andrea Hurley's quick thinking and no-nonsense approach prevented the Huskies from making a costly mistake that could have jeopardized their trip to the Final Four.

The details

With UConn trailing by one point, Braylon Mullins hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Huskies a 73-72 lead over Duke. In the celebration, the UConn players risked drawing a technical foul by leaving the bench. But Andrea Hurley, who Hurley described as not knowing much about basketball, sprang into action, grabbing players and using colorful language to make sure they returned to the bench before any penalties could be assessed.

  • UConn hit the game-winning three-pointer with 0.3 seconds left on the clock.
  • The Huskies secured a spot in the Final Four with the 73-72 victory over Duke.

The players

Dan Hurley

The head coach of the UConn Huskies men's basketball team.

Andrea Hurley

Dan Hurley's wife, who he described as the 'Jersey boss lady' for her actions in keeping the UConn players from drawing a technical foul after the game-winning shot.

Braylon Mullins

The UConn player who hit the game-winning three-pointer to defeat Duke.

Cam Boozer

The Duke star player, who is the son of former NBA player Carlos Boozer.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Yeah, she's a boss. She's the Jersey boss lady. And her language is colorful, too. I mean, she was grabbing people around the back of their warmups. And she doesn't know anything about basketball, you know?”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

“I said to her on the plane, 'This is wild. Three out of four years, you're going to the Final Four. Do you ever imagine this with your life'”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

“I didn't even know Final Four existed until four years ago.”

— Andrea Hurley

What’s next

The Huskies will face off against Illinois, the top-ranked offense in the country, in the Final Four on Saturday at 6:09 p.m. ET in Indianapolis.

The takeaway

Andrea Hurley's quick thinking and no-nonsense approach in the final seconds of the Elite Eight game prevented a potentially costly technical foul that could have swung the outcome against UConn. Her actions highlight the important role coaches' families can play in high-pressure March Madness moments.