Zach Edey ‘beefs’ with UConn head coach Dan Hurley as fans roast Huskies coach for ‘classless’ behavior following heated rant at referee
Tensions spilled over in the first half of the 2024 NCAA title game.
Despite Purdue losing the game 60-75, big man Zach Edey had everything his own way before the break and put on an absolute clinic on both sides of the floor in a back-and-forth contest at 'The Big Dance' in Phoenix.
UConn found themselves in foul trouble early on with nobody able to handle Edey.
With six minutes to go, UConn already had six fouls and had two players with two fouls each and Huskies head coach Dan Hurley couldn't contain his frustrations.
According to The Athletic's Brendan Marks, Hurley hurled expletives at the referee over an uncalled foul.
"Hurley to referee Roger Ayers after Edey stonewalled Stephon Castle on that last screen, and no foul was called: "Yo, what the f*** is that?" Marks on X.
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claimed Hurley yelled: “That’s a f***ing flopâ€.
The Connecticut coach also got into it with Edey and was seen jawing at the Boilermakers big man during a timeout earlier in the first half.
Hurley wasn't happy with Edey after he escaped an offensive foul after knocking Huskies forward Stephon Castle to the ground while setting a hard screen.
"Edey said something to Hurley. Hurley returned fire. This game is running hot."
Gregg Doyel of IndyStar wrote: "I've been busy with Purdue, so I don't know but ... is UConn coach Dan Hurley always like this with the officials?
"Not just complaining, but pleading and gesturing and stomping and pouting and running onto the court and looking on the verge of tears at times. This what he does?".
It was an electrifying first half between the two No.1 seeds as UConn headed in at halftime with a 36-30 lead.
Edey had 16 points and five rebounds, as well as two big-time blocks, while teammate Braden Smith had nine points.
UConn's scoring was much more evenly spread with Tristen Newton putting up 11 points, and Donovan Clingan, Cam Spencer and Hassan Diarra each having seven points.
However, UConn cruised to victory in the second half and secured back-to-back championship wins following their victory in the tournament last season.
On the other hand, Purdue's search for a first NCAA championship continues.
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The fairy-tale end to Edey's college basketball career never materialised but he did all he could, scoring 37 points and adding ten rebounds in the 60-75 defeat.
He will enter June's NBA draft but it remains to be seen how highly teams rate him.