Normally, a trip to Hawaii would conjure up emotions of relaxation, joy, fun, and supreme tranquility.
Tell that to Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies.
The reigning National Champions lost their second-straight game in The Maui Invitational on Tuesday, losing 73-72 to the unranked Colorado Buffaloes (5-1). Colorado forward Andrej Jakimovski hit the eventual game-winning shot over Liam McNeeley with 5.9 seconds remaining in the second half.
It’s not as if UConn (4-2) played poorly. The Huskies shot 48.1 percent from the floor. They also connected on 12-of-31 from behind the arc (38.7 percent). McNeeley, Solo Ball, and Hassan Diarra all scored in double-figures. McNeeley led the way with 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting and 4-of-6 from three-point range.
Having said that, UConn did blow an eight-point halftime lead. Colorado shot the heck out of the ball — connecting on 51.1 percent of its attempts from the field. The Buffaloes also made 9-of-16 from three (56.3 percent). Ultimately what kept this game close was the free throw line. If Colorado hadn’t missed 10 free throws, this game would’ve not been in the balance up until the final seconds.
The Buffaloes also had a balanced attack with three players (Jakimovski, Elijah Malone, Julian Hammond III) in double figures. UConn’s Alex Karaban — a likely first-round pick in 2025, was disappointing by going 1-of-8 from the floor (1-of-7 from three) for six points.
St. Mary’s transfer Aidan Mahaney has also continued to play poorly. He was expected to potentially be a starter for this team having been one of the most highly-touted transfers in the portal.
He went 0-for-1 in Tuesday’s game with 1 assist and 0 points. On the season, Mahaney is averaging only 5.8 PPG on 29.7 percent from the floor and 30.0 percent from three.
