UConn coach Dan Hurley downplayed his bizarre head bump with Duke referee Roger Ayers after the Huskies' stunning 73-72 Elite Eight victory, telling the 'Triple Option' podcast he thought Ayers was trying to 'chest bump' him to celebrate freshman Braylon Mullins' miracle 35-foot 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left. Cameras captured the interaction as Hurley walked away from the UConn bench, but UConn ultimately won after Duke's desperation inbounds attempt was denied, securing their eighth Final Four trip. Hurley, who has a combative history with officials including being ejected earlier this month, emphasized his positive rapport with Ayers, noting they exchanged jokes during timeouts.

Ayers, a seven-time Final Four official, was notably not assigned to the upcoming Final Four, a detail ESPN's Seth Greenberg confirmed Ayers was unaware of. UConn advances to face Illinois in the first Final Four game Saturday in Indianapolis.