UConn coach Dan Hurley is never one to conceal his emotions in the heat of competition, a trait that has come to define him just as much as his overwhelming success with the Huskies the past two seasons.

In his team’s national championship game Monday against Purdue at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, that zeal went beyond the referees and to an opposing player. And not just any opposing player.

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With about seven minutes remaining in the first half and with the teams tied at 23, Boilermakers star center Zach Edey set what Hurley thought was an illegal screen to free up teammate Braden Smith at the top of the key.

During the ensuing media timeout, Hurley came out on the court near the spot of the pick to argue the call, but he did so as Edey passed by on his walk back to the Purdue huddle. The reigning two-time national player of the year said something to Hurley, who turned his head and fired back at Edey.

The 7-foot-4 Edey had been a source of ire for Hurley in the game’s early stages. At one point in the first half, Hurley yelled at officials about Edey, pointing to the Toronto native on the bench and saying, “He’s pushing us!”

At least some of the frustration from the newly minted Naismith Coach of the Year had to do with Edey’s effective play against the Huskies. In the opening 14:03 of the game, Edey had 16 points, four rebounds and two blocks.

In the leadup to the title game, Hurley was highly complimentary of Edey, going as far to say as he is the best college basketball player he has ever seen.

Edey and Purdue are seeking to win the first national championship in program history while UConn is aiming to become the first repeat national champion since Florida in 2006 and 2007.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Zach Edey, Dan Hurley exchange words in Purdue-UConn NCAA championship game