UConn Coach Dan Hurley Praises Michigan After National Title Loss

Hurley avoids criticizing officials despite controversial foul discrepancy in championship game

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:38am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the intense physicality and competitive energy of the NCAA national championship basketball game, with sharp planes of color and form representing the players' movements and the game's dramatic moments.A cubist interpretation of the physical, high-stakes battle between UConn and Michigan on the national championship stage.Indianapolis Today

UConn head coach Dan Hurley took the high road after his team's 69-63 loss to Michigan in the national championship game, praising the Wolverines as the deserved winners and refusing to blame the officials despite a significant foul disparity that hampered the Huskies.

Why it matters

Hurley's measured response stands in contrast to his reputation for vocally criticizing referees, highlighting his maturity and sportsmanship in the face of a tough defeat. The game's officiating was a major talking point, making Hurley's gracious comments all the more noteworthy.

The details

UConn was called for 22 fouls compared to just 13 for Michigan, forcing several Huskies players into early foul trouble. The Wolverines also attempted 12 more free throws than UConn. However, Hurley placed no blame on the officials, instead crediting Michigan's physical play and UConn's own inability to make shots as the primary reasons for the loss.

  • The national championship game was played on Monday, April 7, 2026 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
  • UConn was seeking its third national title in four years, while Michigan aimed to end a more than 35-year championship drought.

The players

Dan Hurley

The head coach of the UConn Huskies men's basketball team, known for his passionate sideline demeanor and willingness to criticize officials.

Michigan Wolverines

The college basketball team that defeated UConn 69-63 to win the 2026 NCAA national championship, ending a more than 35-year title drought for the program.

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What they’re saying

“That's an all-star group there… Kip and Jeff and James, who we're familiar with as well. It's such a physical game. Michigan is so physical. It's not the reason why we lost this game… the first-half foul trouble… we could've gone into halftime with a lead.”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

“Congratulations to Michigan — an incredibly talented, physically imposing team, well-coached, with a great staff and overall a tremendous university given what they've been able to accomplish in sports. They're legit; they definitely deserve to win the national championship. They're clearly the best team this year. They're just so hard to score against at the rim... what hurt us even more than the missed threes were some of the shots that rimmed out.”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

What’s next

The 2026-27 college basketball season will begin in November, with both UConn and Michigan expected to be among the top contenders for the national title.

The takeaway

Dan Hurley's gracious response to the controversial officiating in the national championship game showcased his maturity and sportsmanship, even in the face of a tough defeat. His praise for the champion Michigan Wolverines highlighted the respect he has for the program and the game, setting an example for how coaches should handle difficult losses.