MAUI – The UConn men’s basketball team lost a thrilling, foul-filled overtime game to Memphis 99-97 on Monday in its first game of the Maui Invitational. In the next game at the historic Lahaina Civic Center, Colorado received what coach Tad Boyle called an “old-fashioned (butt) whoop” in the form of a 72-56 loss to Michigan State.

The two previously unbeaten teams will meet in the losers’ bracket for the second time ever on Tuesday.

“Who will be hungrier tomorrow?” For me, this is what I will learn about our team. One thing I know about coach (Dan) Hurley and his attitude is I know he’ll be ready and they’ll be mad,” Boyle said. “Who will be angrier, UConn or Colorado? We’ll find out tomorrow morning at 10:30.”

UConn needs to fix its foul problem — 29 total, three players fouled, two coaching technicals, one player technical — that almost directly led to Monday’s loss. After the upset and first loss in 279 days (February 20, 2024 at Creighton), the team’s ability to refocus will be tested.

Dan Hurley explains the costly technical foul, more from UConn’s overtime loss at the Maui Invitational

“(Memphis is) a heck of a first-round opponent, I think we obviously need to get back on our feet and regroup mentally. We’re not used to losing,” Hurley said. “But I think we are programmed with a lot of character and we will respond to it. That hurts. That sucks. We came here to win the championship. But Memphis is an outstanding team and we have to respond the way UConn responds.”

Colorado, which was 4-1 at this point in the season with no significant wins, fell behind Michigan State by as many as 19 points in the second half on Tuesday, as did UConn. The Buffaloes finished the game shooting 37% from the field, 4-for-19 from distance and outrebounding 42-29.

“There’s no time for a real hangover. The next day you play against a two-time national champion. You can’t wallow in self-pity for two days or you’ll get your ass kicked again. We really need to learn from what we did today and try to fix those issues and do our best tomorrow,” said senior forward Trevor Baskin, who had nine points Monday.

Julian Hammond III, a senior guard in his fourth year with the program, led the way with 15 points, and 6-10 center Elijah Malone had 14 with just four rebounds.

UConn needs a good performance from center Samson Johnson, who had just two points Monday and was fouled after 14 minutes on the floor, and more production from its guards on both ends of the court.

Most importantly, the Huskies need to be able to channel their frustration and not allow the drama of chaos to take over late Monday night.

What you should know

Website: Lahaina Civic Center, Maui.

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET (10:30 a.m. local time)

Records: UConn: 4-1, Colorado: 4-1

Series: UConn leads 1-0.

Last meeting: March 17, 2016 – UConn 74, Colorado 67

TV: ESPN2 – Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas

Radio: Fox Sports 97-9 – Mike Crispino, Wayne Norman