Final Four official manning UConn-Illinois game was present for three of Huskies' losses this year

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Final Four official manning UConn-Illinois game was present for three of Huskies' losses this year

Final Four official manning UConn-Illinois game was present for three of Huskies' losses this year

John Leuzzi, USA TODAY NETWORK · USA TODAY Sports

Sat, Apr 4, 2026 ·

3 min read

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Dan Hurley is a man of superstition.

The Connecticut men's basketball coach is also often animated on the sidelines, whether it is his displeasure with something from his team or displeasure with a call from a referee (or referees) on the officiating crew.

Speaking of officials, the Huskies will see three officials in their Final Four game on Saturday vs. No. 3 Illinois who have worked previously worked their games earlier this season, including one who was on the whistle for three of their five losses.

Andrej Stojakovic #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket against Solo Ball #1 of the UConn Huskies in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)

Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)

Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies shoots a layup against Zvonimir Ivisic #44 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts against the UConn Huskies during the first half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies dunks the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

Kylan Boswell #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini makes a pass while playing against UConn Huskies in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)

Jayden Ross #23 of the UConn Huskies gestures while playing against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)

UConn Huskies forward Jayden Ross (23) celebrates a made three point basket Saturday, April 4, 2026, during a Final Four game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar, Imagn Images)

David Mirkovic #0 and Jake Davis #15 of the Illinois Fighting Illini huddle up with their teammates prior to the Final Four against the UConn Huskies in the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

UConn Huskies forward Jaylin Stewart (3) shoots the ball over Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) saves the ball to Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) against the UConn Huskies in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after a play against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) shoots the ball against UConn Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) shoots over UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) shoots the ball past Illinois Fighting Illini center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ben Humrichous (3) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) is guarded Saturday, April 4, 2026, by UConn Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) during a Final Four game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar, Imagn Images)

UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) celebrates after shooting and making his second three point basket of the first half Saturday, April 4, 2026, during a Final Four game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar, Imagn Images)

UConn Huskies forward Jayden Ross (23) celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) shoots the ball against UConn Huskies guard Malachi Smith (0) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley gets after his team Saturday, April 4, 2026, during a Final Four game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar, Imagn Images)

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) drives to the basket against UConn Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies jumps for the ball against Tomislav Ivisic #13 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)

David Mirkovic #0 of the Illinois Fighting Illini interacts with teammates during player introductions prior to the game against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)

DAN HURLEY FAMILY TREE: Explaining UConn coach's family basketball ties

As noted by CT Insider's David Borges, UConn is 1-3 on the season with official Ron Groover this season. The three losses came against Arizona on Nov. 19, at St. John's at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 6 and then Feb. 18 vs. Creighton. The lone win came in a home game against Marquette on Jan. 4.

Hurley has spoken at length about his intensity on the sidelines with officials this week in Indianapolis after he appeared to have butted heads with referee Roger Ayers in the final seconds of UConn's Elite Eight win vs. Duke last Sunday in Washington, D.C. after Braylon Mullins knocked down the game-winning 3-pointer.

REQUIRED READING: What time is men's Final Four? How to watch NCAA Tournament semifinals

"I get much more of a bad reaction from people, I think, on social media than when I meet regular people," Hurley said Friday, April 3 at the Final Four. "Because anytime I meet regular people, they look at me and they start laughing or they start smiling. Or (say), 'You're the guy from the video. You look a little crazy, but I think you're a good egg.'"

It's worth noting that in eight overall trips to the NCAA Tournament across his coaching career, Hurley has not received a technical foul or an ejection — like he did in the final game of the regular season vs. Marquette after making contact with an official — from a game in the tournament. He was mindful of this in a media availability on Thursday, and based on his speculation history, he's likely thinking of it still.

REQUIRED READING: Dan Hurley called his shot: Tarris Reed Jr. would be X-factor for UConn Final Four run

"I think I'm an intense coach. It's not easy to work my games. But I've always gotten zero technical fouls in my NCAA Tournament coaching career. I just jinxed myself. Oh, my God, now I'm going to get bounced out of this thing. Oh, my God," Hurley said on Thursday, April 2.

Saturday's Final Four will be the third national semifinal that Hurley has led the Huskies to in the last four years, the first team in over a decade to do such a thing in the NCAA Tournament in a four-year span. UConn is 17-3 in six NCAA Tournament appearances under Hurley.

Official crew for UConn-Illinois Final Four semifinal

The NCAA announced on Saturday that the official crew for UConn-Illinois in the Final Four will comprise Ron Groover, Paul Szelc and Marques Pettigrew. The alternate referee is Greg Nixon.

UConn has won both games that Szelc and Pettigrew worked earlier this season: Szelc for the win over Illinois at Te Garden in November, and then Pettigrew for the win over Florida in the Jimmy V Classic at The Garden in December.

REQUIRED READING: Braylon Mullins is more than a big shot. He's been UConn's missing piece