Over the past several years, Dan Hurley has become the most accomplished coach in men’s college basketball, having led UConn to national championships in each of the past two seasons.
As his Huskies vie for a third-consecutive NCAA title, something that hasn’t been done at the Division I level since John Wooden’s UCLA dynasty of the 1960s and 1970s, Hurley hasn’t been particularly shy when it comes to boasting about his achievements.
On Tuesday night, Creighton fans were the latest to be on the receiving end of his boasts.
Following UConn’s 70-66 victory against the Bluejays at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska, Hurley was seen taunting what remained of the home crowd on his walk back to his team’s locker room, waving goodbye and saying, “Two rings” while pointing to his finger — a reference to his program’s recent national championships. Hurley lobbed the insult at one follicly challenged Bluejays fan, whom he called “Baldy.”
The victory was Hurley’s first ever at Creighton, which had defeated UConn in each of their previous four meetings in Omaha since the Huskies rejoined the Big East ahead of the 2020-21 season.
Earlier in the evening, Hurley had been showered with boos and was serenaded with chants of “F— Dan Hurley” during the university’s fan appreciation night, which included a $1 beer promotion.
“I’m not going to lie to you — that was very gratifying,” Hurley said in his postgame news conference. “I waved at some people. I just wish there was more of them still left. There’s been a lot more of them left when I’ve lost.”
It’s not the first time Hurley has gotten into an impassioned back-and-forth with Creighton fans.
Following an 85-66 loss in Omaha in February 2024 — the Huskies’ final loss of the season on their way to repeating as national champions — Hurley was caught on video chirping with heckling Creighton fans, telling one of them, “If you come over (the railing), he’ll knock you out,” referring to the security guard accompanying him on his walk to the tunnel.
It’s also not the first time this season the UConn coach has turned to his recent titles while in a contentious exchange. During an 80-78 victory against Butler on Jan. 21, Hurley berated a referee over what he thought was a missed foul call, telling the official during a timeout, “Don’t turn your back on me. I’m the best coach in the f—g sport.”
The win Tuesday against Creighton, which was led by a career-high 38 points from freshman Liam McNeeley, improved the Huskies’ record to 17-7 overall and 9-4 in Big East play.
“When I’ve gotten my butt kicked here … I’ve obviously had to walk off unceremoniously just crushed by the crowd, cursed at,” Hurley said after the victory. “As long as they’re not leaning over the rail or getting in my face, I think it’s what makes college basketball so much better than any other type of basketball. The home fans here didn’t get the win that they wanted, but they got a show.”
