Andrew Hurley dribbles out clock in 11th straight UConn NCAA Tournament win: 'It's ridiculous'

GLENDALE, Ariz. — It's become as much of a UConn men's basketball team March/April tradition as double-digit victories and Dan Hurley's strange superstitions. In fact, it's one of Hurley's superstitions.

In the final minute of the Huskies' 86-72, Final Four victory over Alabama on Saturday night at State Farm Stadium, there was Andrew Hurley, the coach's son, dribbling out the clock again.

Sort of. 

It didn't look likely for a while, what with Alabama within four at halftime, tied with the Huskies a little over seven minutes into the second half and still within single digits into the final five.

But UConn, as it does, pulled away. And with 18 seconds left, Andrew Hurley entered the game, along with Solo Ball, Jaylin Stewart, Jayden Ross and Apostolos Roumoglou. Hurley has famously dribbled out the clock in most of the Huskies' 11 NCAA Tournament victories over the past two seasons, and he was prepared to do so when he caught a pass with a few seconds left.

However, Alabama star Mark Sears got a little overaggressive trying to steal the ball from Hurley, committed a foul and had words with the walk-on.

Afterwards, Hurley took the high road.

"They were competing until the end of the horn," the former East Catholic standout said. "I made a mistake letting up a little bit. They're a really good team, so I've got to be stronger with the ball."

The Huskies inbounded the ball with about a second left and Hurley caught it, but it was after the final buzzer sounded. So, does that mean he officially dribbled out the clock again.

"Maybe that counts, I don't know," he said with a smile. "I hope so."

His dad probably does, too. After Andrew dribbled out the clock in last year's national title win over San Diego State, Dan has added that to his list of superstitions.

Either way, Andrew Hurley, a walk-on, has now seen the floor in 11 straight NCAA Tournament games.

"It's ridiculous," he said. "I'm so thankful for these guys, last year and this year, it's been such an unbelievable experience. It's crazy, because not everybody gets to play in this tournament, and I get thrown out there .. it's just crazy to be a part of it."