Dan Hurley Admits He's 'Embarrassed' By Controversial Comment

Hurley attributed his bravado as a method to motivate his players.

"When I get into it, sometimes I will say or do anything that I think may give me some type of an advantage," Hurley continued. "Either with an official or with firing my team up, or with carrying myself with a confidence and a swagger that is going to give my team the ability to play better."

Following the viral moment, Hurley told reporters that he wanted "some level of communication" with the referee.

"For all the success we have had over the last couple of years, I don't think there's a program that's won as much as we've won that, at times, gets as bad a whistle," Hurley said.

The 52-year-old wanted the broadcasts to not focus on him so much.

"I just wish they would show these other coaches losing their minds at the officials in other Big East games that I'm coaching ... I see the other coaches as demonstrative as I am," Hurley said. "But the camera, obviously, I've created this for myself. I'm not the victim."

Some college hoops fans would agree with Hurley's brash assessment from January. He led UConn to back-to-back titles, but the Huskies won't enter March Madness as top contenders to three-peat.

UConn ranks outside the AP top 25 following a 22-9 regular season. Hurley will look to steer his squad to a Big East title before the NCAA tournament.