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Dan Hurley Ejected in Last Second of UConn's Stunning Loss to Marquette
An irate Hurley appeared to make contact with referee John Gaffney moments before his ejection.
Published on Mar. 7, 2026
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UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley was ejected with less than a second remaining in his team's 68-62 loss to unranked Marquette on Saturday. Hurley got in the face of referee John Gaffney and appeared to make contact with him after a no-call on a late-game layup attempt by UConn guard Silas Demary Jr.
Why it matters
Hurley's ejection and potential contact with the official could lead to disciplinary action from the Big East conference, including a fine or suspension that could impact UConn's postseason. The loss also hurts UConn's chances of securing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The details
With 10 seconds left and UConn trailing by 2, Demary went up for a layup but was met by Marquette's Ben Gold. No foul was called, prompting an angry reaction from Hurley who got in Gaffney's face, appearing to make contact. Hurley had also argued an earlier foul call on UConn's Tarris Reed Jr. UConn struggled offensively, shooting just 36% from the field and 3-of-24 from 3-point range.
- With 15:39 remaining in the second half, UConn's Tarris Reed Jr. was called for his third foul.
- With just 10 seconds to go, UConn was trailing by two points.
- With less than a second remaining, Dan Hurley was ejected.
The players
Dan Hurley
The head coach of the UConn men's basketball team, known for his expressive personality and frequent arguments with officials.
John Gaffney
The referee who ejected Dan Hurley in the final seconds of the game.
Silas Demary Jr.
A guard for the UConn Huskies who attempted a layup in the final seconds that led to Hurley's ejection.
Ben Gold
A forward for the Marquette Golden Eagles who defended Demary's layup attempt.
Tarris Reed Jr.
A center for the UConn Huskies who was called for a foul earlier in the game, prompting Hurley's initial argument with the officials.
What they’re saying
“I don't think I bumped the ref. I thought I got close to yelling at John. If John thinks I bumped him, he'll say I bumped him. I think I yelled into the back of his head, 'Foul! Foul!'”
— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn (David Borges)
What’s next
The Big East conference will likely review the incident and determine if any disciplinary action, such as a fine or suspension, should be taken against Dan Hurley.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the intense emotions and high stakes involved in college basketball, as well as the ongoing challenges with officiating and the potential consequences for coaches who dispute calls. It could have a significant impact on UConn's postseason positioning and Hurley's availability going forward.
