In today’s episode of Locked On UConn, we deliver a raw and unfiltered reaction to UConn’s 73-72 loss to Colorado in the Maui Invitational. The defending national champions now find themselves playing for 7th place—a shocking turn of events for a team with sky-high expectations.

We’ll dissect what went wrong against Colorado, from defensive breakdowns in the second half to missed opportunities in crunch time. The Huskies’ stars, including Alex Karaban and Solo Ball, had their moments, but the team’s inability to execute in key stretches proved costly. Meanwhile, Colorado’s balanced attack and efficient three-point shooting exposed UConn’s vulnerabilities.

Finally, we’ll look ahead to the 7th place game and what this means for UConn’s season. How do the Huskies bounce back from this unexpected stumble, and what adjustments need to be made before they face tougher competition in December? Let’s break it all down.

Topics Covered:

Segment 1: What Went Wrong Against Colorado

• Defensive Struggles: UConn allowed Colorado to shoot 51.1% from the field, including 56.3% from three-point range.

• Key Stats:

• UConn’s second-half collapse: Colorado outscored them 41-32.

• Turnovers: UConn’s 9 turnovers led to missed scoring opportunities.

• Free throws: Colorado hit 18 of 28 attempts, compared to UConn’s 10 of 13.

• Player Performances:

• Liam McNeeley’s 20 points led UConn, but Alex Karaban struggled, going 1-for-8 from the field.

• Solo Ball and Hassan Diarra provided sparks, but the team lacked consistency.

Segment 2: Colorado’s Balanced Attack

• Standout Performances:

• Elijah Malone’s dominance with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting.

• Julian Hammond III’s efficiency: 16 points, including four three-pointers.

• How They Exploited UConn’s Defense:

• Ball movement and perimeter shooting stretched UConn’s defense.

• Colorado’s bench contributed key minutes and maintained pressure.

Segment 3: What’s Next for UConn?

• Mental and Strategic Adjustments:

• Rebounding focus: UConn lost the rebounding battle, with Colorado grabbing 28 boards to UConn’s 26.

• Bench impact: Key players like Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart need to step up in the 7th place game.

• Preview of the Next Game:

• Who will UConn face, and what are the stakes for salvaging their trip to Maui?

• How this early adversity can fuel growth before December’s high-profile matchups against Baylor and Gonzaga.