Bobby Hurley waved Arizona State players off the court after their loss to Arizona, signaling frustration over the Wildcats’ incessant banter. The pregame camaraderie between Hurley and Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd quickly soured as the competitive atmosphere intensified, culminating in a heated exchange by the game’s end.
Following Arizona’s 81-72 victory on Saturday, Hurley expressed his irritation with the Wildcats’ players, who he felt were overly chatty throughout the match. “Right near our bench, it was relentless chatter from a couple of Arizona’s players that wasn’t being policed properly,” he remarked. “Of course they’re going to be happy with winning, but it was done with no class, in my opinion.”
The rivalry for the Territorial Cup had been relatively tame since Lloyd took the reins at Arizona in 2021. However, the tension escalated during this encounter, particularly after a first-half technical foul was issued to Arizona’s Jaden Bradley for an inappropriate gesture.
As the game progressed, the atmosphere grew increasingly charged. With just 30 seconds remaining, Arizona State’s B.J. Freeman and Arizona’s Caleb Love became embroiled in a confrontation that resulted in Freeman delivering a headbutt to Love. This incident prompted Love to react aggressively, leading to his ejection after he exchanged words with officials and the opposing bench.
The officials took their time reviewing the altercation before deciding to eject Freeman as well. “Obviously, it’s disappointing — probably on all sides,” Lloyd reflected. “When tough things happen, we want to be a program that responds with class. But it was a tough moment in an emotional game. I’ve got a lot of respect for Bobby and Arizona State’s players.”
Hurley, however, was less forgiving in the aftermath. As the clock wound down, he instructed his players to exit towards the locker room, opting not to partake in the traditional handshake. His urgency was evident as he gestured for his team to leave the court, avoiding further confrontation.
Arizona’s associate head coach, Jack Murphy, attempted to engage with an Arizona State player near midcourt, but Hurley dismissed him, seemingly frustrated with the situation. “Words that were said back and forth led to the exchange with Freeman, and he lost his cool with the constant talk that was allowed to go on,” Hurley explained. “I had to make the decision, in the best interest of our team, to get them into the locker room so there were no incidents the rest of the game.”
The fierce rivalry will reignite when the teams face off again on March 4 in Tucson. Fans can expect another intense battle as both sides prepare to defend their pride.
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