Dan Hurley downplays headbutting ref after UConn's win vs. Duke: 'Thought he was coming over to chest-bump me'

On the court, UConn coach Dan Hurley is an emotional and animated guy. But some fans thought Hurley took things too far followingUConn's last-second winover Duke in the Elite Eight.

Following Braylon Mullins' buzzer-beat toput UConn up 73-72with just 0.3 seconds left, cameras captured a weird exchange between Hurley and official Roger Ayers. In the clip, Hurley appeared to get in Ayers' face, with both men butting heads on the sideline.

After seeing the exchange, some wondered why Hurley was not charged with a technical foul, as making contact with an official can lead to both a penalty and ejection for coaches. Hurley, who wasejected from a loss vs. Marquette earlier in the seasonafter making contact with an official, was certainly aware that was the case.

But Hurley said everyone who has seen the clip has it all wrong. As the coach explained during an appearance on "The Triple Option" podcast, he believed Ayers was going in for a chest-bump, which resulted in the strange interaction.

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Hurley's full comments read:

"Really, at that point in the game we had it won, and he's such an easy guy to work with during the game, I thought he was coming over to chest-bump me and celebrate the shot. It's not like that for me with him. My experience with him has been, we haven't won every game. I haven't agreed with every call. So that was in no way me going at a ref like I've been at their throat the whole game. There were other points in the game where I had my arm around him walking out of a timeout. We were cracking jokes and laughing."

At that point, Hurley said it wasn't like the situation at Marquette, where he implied he deserved to be penalized for his actions. He then turned the conversation back to the Duke game, saying he was being carried by the "emotion of the shot" during his moment with Ayers. When asked if they were sharing that moment, Hurley clarified that Ayers was coming up to inform Hurley that there was still some time left on the clock.

Given the narrow margin of victory, a technical foul on Hurley in that moment could have been catastrophic for UConn. That, obviously, didn't happen and UConn advanced to the Final Four, where it will take on Illinois on Saturday.

While Hurley will move on to the Final Four, Ayers won't be able to say the same. Despite being a veteran official with multiple years of Final Four experience under his belt, Ayers wasnot chosen to workthe Final Four. It's unclear whether his interaction with Hurley played a role in that decision.

byCUSTOS CAELORUM

in

March 31, 2026

Dan Hurley downplays headbutting ref after UConn's win vs. Duke: 'Thought he was coming over to chest-bump me'

On the court, UConn coach Dan Hurley is an emotional and animated guy. But some fans thought Hurley took things too far ...

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Men's NCAA tournament averaging 10.3 million viewers, its most-watched since 1993

NEW YORK (AP) — The men's NCAA tournament is averaging 10.3 million viewers through the Elite Eight, according to Nielsen. That is the tournament's best audience since 1993 and a 9% increase over last year.

UConn's last-second 73-72 victory over Dukein the East Region final averaged 13.4 million on CBS. The audience peaked at 18.9 million when Braylon Mullinssank a desperation 3-pointerwith 0.4 seconds left.

Friday's early window with Duke-St.John's on CBS and Michigan-Alabama on TBS/truTV averaged 14.2 million, the most-watched Friday regional early window since 1992.

The Final Four and title game will be on TBS, TNT and truTV.

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The women's NCAA tournament on ESPN's networks and ABC is averaging 789,000 viewers through Saturday's Sweet 16 games. That is a 1% decrease from last year.

Ratings for Sunday and Monday's regional finals are expected to be available on Wednesday.

AP March Madness bracket:https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracketand coverage:https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

byCUSTOS CAELORUM

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March 31, 2026

Men's NCAA tournament averaging 10.3 million viewers, its most-watched since 1993

NEW YORK (AP) — The men's NCAA tournament is averaging 10.3 million viewers through the Elite Eight, according to Ni...

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Tiger Woods pleads not guilty, is stepping away to seek treatment

Tiger Woods released his first public statement since his rollover crash on Friday, announcing he would step away from golf to seek treatment in hopes of "lasting recovery."

Woods' statement Tuesday came soon after his attorney entered a plea of not guilty in a Florida court to charges stemming from the accident.

Woods, 50, is charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence with property damage, and refusal to submit to a urinalysis, according to court documents.

"I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today," Woods' statement read. "I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.

"I'm committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time."

"Tiger Woods is a legend of our sport whose impact extends far beyond his achievements on the course," the PGA Tour said in statement. "But above all else, Tiger is a person, and our focus is on his health and well-being. Tiger continues to have our full support as he takes this important step."

Attorney Douglas Duncan represented Woods, who was not present in Martin County Circuit Court in Stuart, Fla. Duncan submitted the plea as well as the demand for a jury trial.

The 15-time major champion waived his arraignment hearing that was slated for April 23. The defense has 10 days to file motions in the case, to be heard in Florida's 19th Judicial Circuit.

Woods told police he was looking at his cellphone and changing the radio station before his Land Rover crashed near his home in Jupiter Island, Fla., according to the arrest affidavit released on Tuesday by the Martin County Sheriff's Office. Woods said he didn't see a truck that was hauling a trailer slow down, per the affidavit, and his car clipped the trailer and rolled onto its side.

The golfer was jailed on a charge of suspicion of misdemeanor DUI with property damage following the accident and was released on a $1,000 bond about eight hours later.

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Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said a breathalyzer test showed no signs of alcohol, but that Woods refused a urinalysis test for other drugs.

Woods was "sweating profusely" and his movements were "lethargic and slow" during an interview with sheriff's deputy Tatiana Levenar, she wrote in the arrest affidavit.

Another deputy "observed several signs of impairment and requested I conduct a DUI Investigation to ensure Woods was able to operate the motor vehicle in a safe manner at the time of the collision," Levenar wrote in the affidavit.

During the field sobriety exercises, the deputy wrote that Woods was "limping and stumbling to the right." Woods told the deputy he had undergone seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his right leg since a major car accident near Los Angeles in 2021.

Duncan also represented Woods in that case. Woods, arrested on suspicion of DUI, later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and agreed to enter a diversion program.

Woods had said in the 2021 incident that he had taken a bad mix of painkillers. In the Martin County arrest report from last week, Woods denied consuming any alcohol but said he had taken "a few" prescription pills that morning.

Names of the medications were redacted in the affidavit, however, another Martin County Sheriff's deputy found two hydrocodone pills in Woods' left pants pocket. Hydrocodone was found in Woods' system in his 2017 arrest.

Levenar noted in the report that Woods' eyes were "bloodshot and glassy" and his pupils were "extremely dilated."

"Based on my observations of Woods, how he performed the exercises and based on my training, knowledge, and experience, I believed his normal facilities were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle," Levenar wrote.

--Field Level Media

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March 31, 2026

Tiger Woods pleads not guilty, is stepping away to seek treatment

Tiger Woods released his first public statement since his rollover crash on Friday, announcing he would step away fr...

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Army Briefly Suspends Apache Helicopter Pilots Who Flew Over Kid Rock's Home and Nashville's 'No Kings' Protests

The Apache helicopter pilots who flew above Kid Rock's house in Nashville were suspended

NEED TO KNOW

• "The personnel involved have been suspended from flight duties while the Army reviews the circumstances surrounding the mission," Army Spokesman Maj Montrell Russell tells PEOPLE in a statement

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later said the suspensions were lifted in a post on X on Tuesday, March 28

The U.S. Army had previously suspended the Apache helicopter pilots who flew directly aboveKid Rock's home in the Nashville area during March 28's "No Kings" protests.

"The Army has confirmed that on March 28, two Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell conducted a flight in the Nashville area that has attracted public and media attention," Army Spokesman Maj Montrell Russell told PEOPLE in a statement.

Russell confirmed the incident was under an "Army Regulation 15-6 administrative investigation."

"The personnel involved have been suspended from flight duties while the Army reviews the circumstances surrounding the mission, including compliance with relevant FAA regulations, aviation safety protocol, and approval requirements," Russell said.

"The Army takes any allegations of unauthorized or unsafe flight operations very seriously and is committed to enforcing standards and holding personnel accountable," the statement concluded.

Shortly after the Army confirmed the pilots' suspensions, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reposted Kid Rock's video of the helicopter onXon Tuesday, March 31.

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"Thank you@KidRock," the post on X began. "@USArmypilots suspension LIFTED. No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots."

"This is a level of respect that s--t for brains Governor of California will never know," Kid Rock's initial post onXbegan. "God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her."

The two AH-64 Apache helicopters were following a training route in the Nashville area on March 28, and their presence was "entirely coincidental" to theNo Kings proteststaking place that same day, a spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division, in Fort Campbell, Ky., previously toldNBC Newsand local outletWSMV.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Saturday marked the third day of organized protests affiliated with the No Kings movement. The protests were organized byNo Kings Coalitionagainst PresidentDonald Trumpand his administration.

The name of the movement stems from Trump, 79, oncecalling himself "the king"in a social media post in 2025, amid declaring hisintentions to run for a third term. UnderU.S. constitutional law, presidents may only serve two terms.

Read the original article onPeople

byCUSTOS CAELORUM

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March 31, 2026

Army Briefly Suspends Apache Helicopter Pilots Who Flew Over Kid Rock's Home and Nashville's 'No Kings' Protests

The Apache helicopter pilots who flew above Kid Rock's house in Nashville were suspended NEED TO KNOW ...

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Melissa Joan Hart Impressively Pulls Off Push-Ups in Heels with 15-lb Weights in Her Dressing Room

Melissa Joan Hart shared a video of herself doing push-ups with 15-lb weights while wearing stilettos

NEED TO KNOW

• The actress has been open about her health journey, losing nearly 20 pounds after lifestyle changes during perimenopause

• Hart credits cutting out alcohol and sugar with helping her feel stronger and healthier than she has in years

Melissa Joan Hartis showing off her strength — and doing it in style.

The actress, 49, shared avideo to Instagramon Tuesday, March 31, that shows her working out in her dressing room while wearing stilettos, jeans and a layered top with a sweater vest. In the clip, Hart performs push-ups using 15-pound weights, incorporating renegade rows into the move.

"Fun new project I'm working on... and I asked for 15lb weights in my room to get my pump on.... in my pumps," she wrote in the caption, adding the hashtags "#StayStrong ladies" and "#RenegadeRows."

The impressive moment comes as Hart continues to open up about her ongoing health journey.

In anexclusive interview with PEOPLEearlier this year, theSabrina the Teenage Witchalum shared that she initially believed perimenopause would prevent her from losing weight. Instead, she ended up dropping nearly 20 pounds after making lifestyle changes.

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Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"I actually feel stronger and better than I have in a really long time," Hart told PEOPLE atSteven Tyler's 7th Annual Jam for JanieGrammyviewing party on Feb. 1, an event benefitting the rocker'sJanie's Fund, which supports neglected and abused girls.

"I just wanted to feel better. It had nothing to do with losing weight," she said. "I really didn't think I could lose weight anymore, being in midlife and perimenopause and all those things, I was like, 'Can I really lose weight? I don't think I can.'"

Her approach started with small changes that made a big impact.

"I haven't had a drink in over a year," she said. "I just don't even enjoy drinking. So why bother? So I cut these things out of my life, and I started to feel better."

She added that cutting out both alcohol and sugar played a key role in improving her health.

"In doing that, I lost a lot of weight and kind of feel great," she added.

Read the original article onPeople

byCUSTOS CAELORUM

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March 31, 2026

Melissa Joan Hart Impressively Pulls Off Push-Ups in Heels with 15-lb Weights in Her Dressing Room

Melissa Joan Hart shared a video of herself doing push-ups with 15-lb weights while wearing stilettos NEED TO...

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