"Did I say that, huh, yeah!": Dan Hurley doubles down on viral outburst at Butler game

Dan Hurley found himself in the middle of another controversy on Tuesday night after he had a heated exchange with one of the referees in UConn's game against Butler at the XL Center in Hartford.

The incident occurred during the first half of the Huskies' 80-78 victory. UConn held a 37-27 lead over Butler with 2:58 remaining in the opening period when Hurley tried to get the referee's attention as the game headed into a timeout.

However, the match official ignored Hurley's inquiry, much to the UConn coach's frustration. The referee walked away to avoid further interaction, triggering Hurley's outburst. Hurley was caught on camera saying:

"Don't turn your back on me. I'm the best coach in the f***ing sport."

A reporter asked Dan Hurley about those words in the postgame press conference.

“Did I say that, huh, yeah,” Hurley admitted while laughing (Timestamp 11:15).

"I’m going to sound like an a**hole here. I just want some level of communication too."

Dan Hurley explained that he was complaining about a foul that should have been called on a Butler player during a rebounding battle with Alex Karaban late in the first half. A jump ball ensued as a result of the no-call, causing the Huskies to lose the possession.

Hurley also complained about the cameras focusing more on him during the TV broadcast, arguing that other coaches are doing the same thing he does to referees but are not getting the same attention.

“I just wish they would show these other coaches losing their minds at the officials in other Big East games that I’m coaching," Hurley said (12:41). "Going into a timeout, when I’m not talking to officials, I see the other coaches as demonstrative as I am.”

Solo Ball and Alex Karaban help Dan Hurley's UConn hold off Butler in OT thriller

The No. 19 UConn Huskies came close to losing back-to-back home games for the first time this season in the showdown against Butler. The Bulldogs unleashed a 14-3 run late in the second half to turn a nine-point deficit into a 68-66 advantage with 2:06 left.

UConn Huskies forward Alex Karaban (#11) drives the ball against Butler Bulldogs forward Jahmyl Telfort (#11) in the first half. Photo: Imagn

Alex Karaban came to UConn's rescue, scoring a jumper with 1:43 remaining in regulation to help force overtime. He scored the first five points for the Huskies in the extra period, helping Dan Hurley grab the all-important win. Karaban finished the game with 19 points while Solo Ball led all Huskies scorers with 23 points.