Defending champs UConn basketball falls to Memphis in Maui Invitational | Social reactions
Two-time defending NCAA champion UConn basketball suffered its first season loss on Monday.
Penny Hardaway and Memphis knocked off the No. 2 Huskies with a 99-97 overtime victory in the quarterfinal of The Maui Invitational at Lahaina Civic Center in Maui, Hawaii. The Tigers led by as many as 13 at 87-74 with four minutes remaining but allowed a 20-7 run to send it to overtime.
REQUIRED READING: Purdue bursts into top 10, Kansas still leads USA TODAY Sports men's basketball coaches poll
Solo Ball hit a 3-pointer to tie the game with 1.2 seconds left to send it to an extra period.
Solo. Ball. pic.twitter.com/ujgqsZ2nCS
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) November 25, 2024
However, Hassan Diarra missed a game-winning 3-pointer to give the Tigers the overtime to win. Memphis took the lead on four straight free throws by PJ Carter following a technical foul on UConn coach Dan Hurley and an over-the-back foul on Liam Neeley with 40 seconds remaining, which Hurley protested to pick up the technical.
THE TIGERS HAVE DONE IT 🔥
Memphis defeats No. 2 UConn, winning its FIFTH straight game against an AP-ranked opponent dating back to the beginning of last season‼️ pic.twitter.com/OwyZnn9dIF— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 25, 2024
Here's how social media reacted to UConn basketball losing to Memphis in The Maui Invitational on Monday:
Reactions to UConn men's basketball loss to Memphis
🔥 WHAT A GAME TO OPEN MAUI 🔥@Memphis_MBB takes down No. 2 UConn! 👀 pic.twitter.com/h6nX0AE7XM
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) November 25, 2024
Given the circumstances just before the season, Penny Hardaway just picked up arguably the biggest win that he's had as Memphis' head coach.
Tigers beat 2X defending champ UConn in a Maui classic.
Tigers have a win that will travel all the way to Selection Sunday.— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 25, 2024
What a way to start the Maui Invitational! Down goes UConn! #MauiInvitational #FeastWeek #CollegeBasketball
— Casey Ohman (@Casey_Ohman) November 25, 2024
Memphis shot 40 free throws.
UConn got 24.
Good lord.— Will (@WilliamRichJr) November 25, 2024
Memphis takes down UConn 99-97 in OT.
Instant classic. Hurley’s rage finally comes back to bite his team with that Technical Foul.
Massive win for Penny Hardaway and his Tigers— Everything College Basketball (@ecbpodcast10) November 25, 2024
The resiliency showed by UConn to come back at the end of regulation and then showed by Memphis to regain control of the game in OT is everything you want to see in competition.
Tremendous grit showed on both sides.
This is ONLY November. https://t.co/U5ZSvVNtAp— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 25, 2024
The scene at the Rotolo's watch party as the Tigers take down No. 2 UConn pic.twitter.com/JZ0E997hvE
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) November 25, 2024
FINAL: Memphis 99, No. 2 UConn 97. In overtime.
An all-time Maui classic to start the week. A game that had everything: Incredible shot-making from Memphis’ guards (Hunter then Haggerty then Rogers), UConn’s insane comeback in regulation, drama, techs, upset win.
Maui Magic.— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) November 25, 2024
Did the UConn dynasty just die in Maui? Should Dan Hurley have taken the Lakers job? These are questions that need answers!
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) November 25, 2024
It’s almost impossible to put into words how important this win is for Penny Hardaway.
Without a doubt, the biggest of his career.
Penny moves to 3-1 all-time against the King of College Basketball. The Tigers are 5-0.
FINAL/OT: Memphis 99, No. 2 UConn 97— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) November 25, 2024
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Social reactions to UConn basketball's loss to Memphis in Maui Invitational