Back-to-back defeats in just 48 hours! Monday night had everyone talking about UConn’s overtime loss to Memphis. They saw their 17-game winning streak come crashing down. But things didn’t get much better on Tuesday either. The Huskies faced another stinger, losing 73-72 to unranked Colorado. Amidst all this, we saw freshman Ahmad Nowell in action and head coach Dan Hurley had bittersweet comments for him.

“The first half I liked. Ahmad in the second half, he showed his inexperience, but he plays with some physicality out there. I think he’s going to be a good player. I think we have to play him,” the coach said about the 4-star guard, per 247 Sports.

The #0’s minutes have been limited so far this season, just five games under his belt, averaging 7.8 minutes, 3.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. But in Tuesday’s game, he played 13 minutes, scoring two points, grabbing three rebounds, and dishing out five assists. Hurley’s feedback suggests the coach sees potential, but there’s still much polishing.

The freshman began his UConn journey with a big commitment on July 23, 2024. The 6-foot-1 guard from Philadelphia’s Imhotep Institute is ranked 30th by ESPN and 36th by 247Sports. He’s a scrappy, two-way player who can create plays, knock down shots, and lock it down on defense—a real “dog,” as he proudly called himself.

Not to forget, he was the Huskies’ second big recruit from the Class of 2024 after Isaiah Abraham, and he turned down offers from top programs like Tennessee, Georgia Tech, and Kentucky to play for UConn. Fans must watch as he gradually unleashes his potential. But right now, patience is the key after two consecutive losses. 

Cliche, but the second Maui game was indeed a tale of two halves. The Huskies led 40-32 at halftime and even built a nine-point lead early in the second half. But the Buffaloes weren’t about to roll over. They shot 62.5% in the second half, with Andrej Jakimovski delivering the dagger, an off-balance layup with just eight seconds left.

Colorado’s Elijah Malone and Julian Hammond III led the way with 16 points each. For UConn, Liam McNeeley had a strong showing with 20 points, but it just wasn’t enough. A missed three-pointer at the buzzer sealed their fate. This comes right after Monday’s fiery clash. 

Dan Hurley loses his cool over officiating

Losing to Memphis by 99-97 wasn’t just a tough one for a team chasing a three-peat; it was also controversial. Coach Hurley lashed out at the refs over a controversial “over-the-back” call on Liam McNeeley with the game tied at 92 in overtime.

The foul led to Memphis sinking four free throws—two from the call and two from Hurley’s technical foul—giving them a decisive 96-92 lead with 40 seconds left. Even in the postgame conference, the 51-year-old coach went after the refs, calling an over-the-back foul “a complete joke.” 

“That over-the-back call at that point of the game? There was no attempt to block it out. There was a player on Memphis that made a half-a-s effort to rebound that basketball, and Liam McNeely high-pointed that rebound,” he said. “For that call to be made at that point in the game was a complete joke.”

Fans weren’t thrilled with Hurley’s antics. Sure, passion is great, but the technical foul he picked up during that sequence arguably cost UConn the game. It’s safe to say these past two days have been a reality check for UConn. 

The defending champs are facing adversity for the first time in a while, and the pressure is mounting. But considering their history, they will certainly rise back stronger. Let’s just hope it happens fast—because when you’re chasing history, every game counts.