MAUI – The UConn men’s basketball team lost a thrilling, foul-laden overtime game to Memphis in its first game of the Maui Invitational, 99-97 on Monday . In the next matchup at the historic Lahaina Civic Center, Colorado – coach Tad Boyle said – received an “old-fashioned (butt)-whooping” in the form of a 72-56 loss to Michigan State. The two previously undefeated teams will meet for the second time ever in the loser’s bracket on Tuesday.
“Who’s gonna be hungrier tomorrow? To me, that’s what I’ll find out about our team. One thing I know about coach (Dan) Hurley and the way he’s wired is, I know he’ll be ready and they’re angry,” Boyle said. “Who’s gonna be angrier, UConn or Colorado? That’s what we’ll find out at 10:30 tomorrow morning.
” UConn will have to clean up its foul problem – 29 total, three players fouled out, two coaching technicals, one player technical – that almost directly led to Monday’s loss. After being upset, losing for the first time in 279 days (Feb. 20, 2024 at Creighton), the team’s ability to get refocused will be tested.
“(Memphis is) a heck of a first-round opponent, I think we’re going to obviously have to bounce back and mentally regroup. We’re not used to losing,” Hurley said. “But I think we are programmed with a lot of character, and we’ll respond.
This hurts. This sucks. We came here to win the championship.
But Memphis is an excellent team and we’ve got to respond the way UConn res.
