TEMPE, Ariz. — When Tommy Lloyd and Bobby Hurley met near the center of the court prior to the game, they appeared friendly, exchanging light-hearted words and pats on each other’s backs. However, by the end of the contest, the tension between the coaches had reached a boiling point after an afternoon filled with banter and an altercation.
After witnessing an incessant amount of chatter from the University of Arizona players, Hurley instructed his Arizona State team to leave the court following their 81-72 loss on Saturday. He felt that the Wildcats’ behavior lacked decorum. “The constant chatter from a couple of Arizona’s players was not being managed properly,” Hurley expressed. “Winning is great, but it was done without any class, in my view.”
Historically, the Territorial Cup rivalry has maintained a level of civility since Lloyd took the helm at Arizona in 2021. Most of the matchup unfolded amicably, except for a technical foul assessed to Jaden Bradley of Arizona for an inappropriate gesture in the first half. As Arizona surged ahead in the latter part of the game, the atmosphere shifted.
The culmination of nearly 40 minutes of banter ignited a confrontation in the final half-minute when B.J. Freeman of Arizona State collided with Caleb Love of Arizona, leading to a headbutt. Love staggered back, reacted strongly, and directed his frustration toward one of the referees before he began to confront Freeman again. A teammate intervened to hold him back, and as a result, Love was ejected from the game. The officials reviewed the incident extensively and ultimately decided to eject Freeman as well.
Lloyd expressed disappointment over the situation, acknowledging the emotional nature of the game. “In difficult times, we strive to carry ourselves with class, and I’m unsure if we did. It was an intense moment, and I hold great respect for Bobby and the Arizona State players,” he noted.
Conversely, Hurley had a different outlook in the immediate aftermath of the game. As the clock wound down, Hurley directed his players towards the locker room, signaling them to evacuate the court swiftly instead of engaging in a post-game handshake. He remained on the court until the final inbound play, insisting on ensuring the safety and decorum of his team. An attempt at a conversation between Jack Murphy, the associate head coach from Arizona, and an Arizona State player was quickly brushed off by Hurley, who had some pointed remarks.
“Words exchanged sparked the incident with Freeman, and he let his emotions take over amid the constant chatter,” Hurley explained. He felt it necessary to prioritize his team’s interests and ensure their safe exit from the chaotic environment.
In a provocative turn during the post-game press briefing, Hurley mentioned his role as a voter in the all-Big 12 and hinted at who he wouldn’t support, evidently referencing Love.
The two sides are scheduled to clash once more on March 4 in Tucson, signaling another heated confrontation ahead. Buckle up for what promises to be a thrilling rematch.
