In a shocking turn of events, the mighty UConn Huskies, two-time defending national champions, have fallen to unranked Colorado 73-72 in their second straight loss at the Maui Invitational. The stunning upset came just a day after UConn’s overtime loss to Memphis, leaving head coach Dan Hurley and the Huskies searching for answers.
Colorado’s Second-Half Surge
Despite trailing 40-32 at halftime and facing a nine-point deficit early in the second half, the resilient Buffaloes refused to back down. Colorado shot a scorching 62.5% from the field in the second half, quickly closing the gap and putting pressure on the heavily favored Huskies.
Leading the charge for Colorado were Elijah Malone and Julian Hammond III, who each poured in 16 points. Andrej Jakimovski added 12 points and 10 rebounds, including the game-winning layup with just eight seconds remaining.
The Jakimovski Game-Winner
With Colorado trailing 72-71 in the closing seconds, Jakimovski drove to his right, absorbing contact from UConn’s Liam McNeeley. As he fell to the floor, Jakimovski tossed the ball toward the glass, and the shot found its mark, sending shockwaves through the college basketball world.
I just tried to make a play. I knew we needed a bucket, and I wanted to be aggressive. When I got the ball, I saw an opening and took it. Thankfully, the shot went in.
Andrej Jakimovski, on his game-winning shot
UConn’s Uncharacteristic Struggles
The Huskies, who arrived in Maui riding a 17-game winning streak dating back to February, now find themselves facing adversity for the first time in quite a while. Coach Hurley, known for his fiery demeanor, was visibly frustrated with his team’s performance.
We’re not playing UConn basketball right now. We’re not defending at the level we need to, and we’re not executing on offense. This is a wake-up call for us. We need to get back to our identity and fast.
Dan Hurley, UConn head coach
Takeaways and Looking Ahead
For UConn, the loss raises questions about their ability to defend their title and live up to the lofty expectations placed upon them. The Huskies will need to regroup quickly, as they face the loser of the Iowa-Dayton matchup in the seventh-place game on Wednesday.
Colorado, on the other hand, has proven that they are a force to be reckoned with. The Buffaloes’ resilience and ability to execute under pressure have caught the attention of the college basketball world. They will look to build on this momentum as they take on the winner of the Iowa-Dayton game in the fifth-place game.
Key Stats and Moments
- Colorado outrebounded UConn 28-26, a stark contrast to their 42-29 deficit against Michigan State the day before
- UConn’s Liam McNeeley led all scorers with 20 points in the losing effort
- Colorado shot an impressive 51.1% from the field and 56.3% (9-of-16) from beyond the arc
- UConn’s Hassan Diarra missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer just before the final buzzer
As the Maui Invitational continues, all eyes will be on both UConn and Colorado. Can the Huskies bounce back and salvage their trip to the islands, or will this be the start of a longer skid? And can the Buffaloes continue to play giant-killer and make a deep run in the tournament? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: college basketball is as unpredictable as ever, and no team, not even the mighty Huskies, is immune to an upset.
