Ref Benched from Final Four After Hurley Incident

NCAA tournament official Roger Ayers will not work the men's Final Four after a controversial interaction with UConn coach Dan Hurley.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:25pm

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A fractured, abstract painting depicting a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes in navy, green, and orange overlapping to create a sense of motion and intensity.The NCAA's decision to bench a referee after an on-court confrontation with a coach reflects the high standards of professionalism expected at the sport's highest level.Durham Today

Roger Ayers, the NCAA basketball official who was involved in a heated exchange with UConn head coach Dan Hurley near the end of their tournament game against Duke, will not be assigned to work the upcoming men's Final Four. The incident, which saw Hurley bump into Ayers, has led to Ayers being sidelined from the marquee event.

Why it matters

Referee assignments for the Final Four are highly coveted, and Ayers' exclusion is seen as a significant disciplinary measure by the NCAA in response to the on-court confrontation. The decision highlights the league's emphasis on maintaining order and decorum, even among the most high-profile coaches and officials.

The details

In the final minute of UConn's Sweet 16 victory over Duke, Hurley became upset with a call made by Ayers and the two had physical contact as Hurley walked past the official. While no technical foul was called, the NCAA has now determined that Ayers' involvement in the incident makes him unfit to work the Final Four games.

  • The incident occurred on March 24, 2026 during the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
  • The Final Four is scheduled for April 5-7, 2026.

The players

Roger Ayers

An NCAA basketball official who has worked numerous tournament games over his career.

Dan Hurley

The head coach of the University of Connecticut men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“We hold our officials to the highest standards of professionalism, and the decision not to assign Roger to the Final Four was made to uphold those standards.”

— Mark Emmert, NCAA President

What’s next

The NCAA will assign a new set of officials to work the men's Final Four games on April 5 and 7.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the intense scrutiny and pressure faced by both coaches and officials at the highest levels of college basketball. The NCAA's decision to sideline Ayers from the Final Four sends a clear message about the importance of maintaining composure and decorum on the court.