March Madness ref not assigned to Final Four after bizarre Dan Hurley moment
New York Post • • sports
Key Points:
- Roger Ayers, a highly regarded referee, was not selected by the NCAA to officiate the upcoming Final Four games, despite his extensive experience and previous Final Four appearances.
- Ayers was involved in a controversial and unusual interaction with UConn coach Dan Hurley after a dramatic comeback win against Duke, where Hurley celebrated closely with Ayers, sparking calls for a technical foul.
- Ayers has officiated seven Final Fours since starting his Division I refereeing career in 1998, including key games in recent years and the 2024 National Championship won by UConn.
- The NCAA has announced 11 referees for the Final Four, but specific game assignments remain undisclosed; UConn will face Illinois, and Michigan will play Arizona in the semifinals.
- Ayers’ absence from the semifinal games this year marks the first time since 2021 he will not be part of the Final Four or National Championship officiating crew, raising questions about whether he will be assigned to the final game.
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