The Brief:

• UConn’s 17-game winning streak ended with a 99-97 loss to Memphis in the Maui Invitational, marked by controversial officiating, including a pivotal technical foul on coach Dan Hurley.
• The game featured intense physicality and multiple technical fouls, with UConn’s Samson Johnson fouling out in overtime and a technical called on their medical trainer earlier in the game.
• Despite UConn’s late-game rally to tie the score, Memphis capitalized on free throw opportunities to secure the win, marking the end of UConn’s streak and a significant victory for Memphis coach Penny Hardaway.

In a stunning turn of events that halted UConn’s impressive 17-game winning streak, the two-time defending national champions faced an unexpected defeat against Memphis with a final score of 99-97 during the Maui Invitational’s opening round. The game, marked by its intensity and contentious officiating, culminated in a critical and controversial moment when coach Dan Hurley was given a technical foul for protesting an offensive foul call on forward Liam McNeeley.

Dan Hurley's thoughts on today's officiating:

"I had a lot of issues with what went on. That over-the-back call… there was a Memphis player that made a half-ass effort, Liam McNeeley high-pointed the rebound, and for that call to be made… was a complete joke. I may have lost… pic.twitter.com/w5AxFsZF5d

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) November 25, 2024

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The call in question occurred in the game’s final moments during overtime with the score knotted at 92. The decision to penalize McNeeley for an over-the-back foul, as he attempted to secure a rebound, was met with disbelief by Hurley. The UConn coach expressed his frustration by dropping to his knees in protest—a reaction that led to a technical foul. This pivotal moment allowed Memphis’ PJ Carter to sink four consecutive free throws, propelling Memphis ahead and ultimately securing their victory.

Hurley later voiced his grievances regarding the officiating, particularly criticizing the call against McNeeley as “a complete joke.” He argued that there was no effort from Memphis to block out on the play and that McNeeley’s attempt to high-point the rebound should not have resulted in a foul. His critique extended beyond this incident, pointing out what he perceived as inconsistencies and questionable decisions throughout the game.

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The match was fraught with physicality and tension from both teams, which only escalated as it progressed. Early on, a technical foul was issued against UConn’s medical trainer for remarks made under his breath during a huddle—an indication of how tightly wound emotions were on both sides. Another significant blow to UConn came when player Samson Johnson received his fifth foul through a double technical call, forcing him out of the game during overtime—a decision Hurley labeled as “crazy.”

Despite these challenges, Memphis seized their opportunities and capitalized on them effectively. Coach Penny Hardaway hailed the win as the most significant of his coaching career thus far. He acknowledged the daunting task of facing off against back-to-back national champions but used it as motivation for his team.

The loss marks UConn’s first since their defeat by Creighton on February 20th. Despite trailing for much of the game and facing a 13-point deficit with just four minutes left in regulation, UConn managed to rally back into contention before falling short in overtime.

Reflecting on the match’s intense physicality, UConn player Alex Karaban admitted that while they anticipated a tough game, they fell short in matching Memphis’ aggression—a factor he attributed directly to their defeat.

This upset not only ends UConn’s winning streak but also serves as a stark reminder of how crucial officiating can be in determining the outcome of closely contested games. As these teams move forward from this heated encounter, both will undoubtedly carry lessons learned from this unforgettable night in Maui.

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