Colorado’s Dramatic Upset Stuns No. 2 UConn at Maui Invitational
It was a night filled with drama, resilience, and a thrilling finish as Colorado delivered a stunning blow to the No. 2-ranked UConn Huskies, securing a nail-biting 73-72 victory at the Maui Invitational. The Buffaloes handed the two-time defending national champions their second loss in just two days—a feat that will be remembered for a long time by college basketball fans.
The Game-Changing Moment
With only eight seconds left on the clock, Andrej Jakimovski delivered a clutch, off-balance layup that sealed Colorado’s victory. As the unranked Buffaloes trailed 72-71 in the final seconds, Jakimovski drove hard to his right, absorbed contact from UConn’s Liam McNeeley, and launched a wild shot off the glass. The ball kissed the backboard and dropped into the net as Jakimovski hit the floor, sending Colorado’s bench into a frenzy.
UConn had one last chance to salvage the game, but Hassan Diarra’s contested three-point attempt missed its mark as time expired. The Buffaloes celebrated an unforgettable win, while the Huskies walked off the court in disbelief.
Colorado’s Comeback Heroics
This wasn’t just about a single moment—it was about a team that refused to back down. UConn seemed to have control early, holding a 40-32 lead at halftime and stretching it to nine points shortly after the break. But Colorado had other plans. The Buffaloes, who shot a scorching 62.5% in the second half, steadily chipped away at the deficit.
The second-half surge highlighted Colorado’s resilience, especially coming off a disappointing performance the previous day. Against Michigan State, the Buffaloes managed just 56 points and were outmuscled on the boards. But this time, they turned the narrative around with a determined effort on both ends of the floor.
UConn’s Struggles in Maui
For the Huskies, it’s been a rough couple of days. UConn entered the tournament on a 17-game winning streak dating back to February and looked every bit like a powerhouse. However, back-to-back heartbreakers have left the team searching for answers.
Just a day earlier, UConn fell 99-97 in an overtime thriller against Memphis. That loss left coach Dan Hurley visibly frustrated, particularly with the officiating. Reflecting on the Colorado loss, Hurley said, “At halftime, I felt like we were going to do what we do at UConn, which would be get it to double figures and then surge in that game, and it just didn’t happen for us.”
He added, “It’s been a tough two days, but it’s early. We’re going to have a lot of chances to get these ones that we’ve given away. We’ve got a lot of chances to get these back.”
Takeaways from the Game
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For UConn:
The Huskies are facing their first real adversity in months. Despite McNeeley’s 20-point performance, UConn struggled to close out games and saw their vaunted defense falter at critical moments. Losing two nail-biters in consecutive days is rare; in fact, UConn became only the fifth AP top-five team to lose by two points or fewer on back-to-back days, a feat last witnessed in 1983 when Michigan lost one-point games to UTEP and Texas Tech. -
For Colorado:
The Buffaloes showed remarkable poise under pressure. After a tough loss to Michigan State in which they shot just 37% from the field, Colorado bounced back in a big way. They hit 51.1% of their shots overall and were deadly from beyond the arc, sinking 9-of-16 (56.3%) three-point attempts. Their ability to adjust and execute against a top-tier opponent like UConn speaks volumes about the team’s potential.
Key Stats and Moments
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Key Moment:
UConn’s final possession underscored Colorado’s defensive grit. Hurley called a timeout to draw up a potential game-winner, but the Buffaloes forced the Huskies into a contested three-pointer that didn’t come close. -
Rebounding Battle:
Colorado held its own on the boards, edging UConn 28-26 in rebounds—a stark improvement after being outworked 42-29 by Michigan State the day before. -
Hot Shooting:
The Buffaloes’ lights-out shooting, especially in the second half, was the game’s defining factor. Their ability to convert under pressure, including Jakimovski’s game-winner, was nothing short of spectacular.
What’s Next?
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Colorado:
The Buffaloes move on to face the winner of the Iowa-Dayton matchup in the fifth-place game on Wednesday. With their confidence soaring after taking down a powerhouse like UConn, they’ll look to build on this momentum. -
UConn:
The Huskies are now set to face the loser of Iowa-Dayton in the seventh-place game. For Hurley’s squad, this will be an opportunity to regroup and salvage something from a challenging tournament.
Why This Win Matters
This game wasn’t just an upset—it was a testament to what college basketball is all about. Underdogs rising to the occasion, nail-biting finishes, and unforgettable plays like Jakimovski’s acrobatic layup are the lifeblood of the sport. Colorado’s win is proof that rankings don’t always tell the full story, and on any given night, anything can happen.
For fans of the Buffaloes, this victory will serve as a highlight of the season—a moment to look back on with pride. For UConn, it’s a wake-up call and a reminder that staying at the top requires constant focus and effort.
As the Maui Invitational continues, one thing is clear: this tournament is delivering drama, excitement, and plenty of surprises. College basketball is off to an incredible start, and fans can’t wait to see what’s next.
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