This loss may serve as a wake-up call for the Huskies. Feast Week is here, and the Maui Invitational, one of the most exciting in-season tournaments, has kicked off with a bang. UConn’s men’s basketball team entered the tournament ranked No. 2, but their campaign began with a shocking upset—a 99-97 overtime loss to Memphis on Monday afternoon.

The game had all the intensity of a Final Four matchup, showcasing the fierce rivalry between the two teams. More than just another contest, this game carried extra weight, as the outcome determined which team would gain the upper hand in their competitive history. While many viewed the Huskies’ defeat as a collective failure, one player took full responsibility: Alex Karaban.

Karaban, who is expected to be the team’s leader, stepped up after the game and admitted, “It’s on my shoulders completely, 100% on my shoulders. How the team responds, how the team acts, how we watch film, how we do everything in general—it’s all on me.”

Karaban’s accountability came after a strong individual performance. Logging a team-high 43 minutes, he scored 19 points, shooting 6-of-13 from the field while adding four rebounds, six assists, and just one turnover. His statement echoed the expectations coach Dan Hurley had set for him earlier this season: “He’s going to lead us this year both with his production—big-time shooter, versatile offensive player, super smart guy—but really gives the group confidence, so he’s a critical player.”

Karaban has been meeting those expectations, averaging 16.3 points per game this season. However, the team’s offense struggled to find a rhythm in the second half, which ultimately cost them the game. Reflecting on this, Karaban added, “We’ve got to wake up.”

The game was tied at halftime, but Memphis surged ahead in the second half, building a 13-point lead with under four minutes to play. UConn managed to rally back, thanks to a clutch three-pointer by Solo Ball with just seconds left, forcing the game into overtime.

This matchup carried significant weight for the Huskies

Throughout their history, Memphis and UConn have each won eight of their 16 matchups, making this game a decisive tiebreaker. But now, Memphis is one win ahead of Huskies.

Coming off two road victories, UConn was expected to shine, even earning praise from Memphis coach Penny Hardaway. “The beauty of Danny and his staff is they’re always evolving, always getting better, and putting themselves in a position where they’re not predictable,” Hardaway said.

“They’ve done a phenomenal job.” Despite the praise, the Huskies fell short. A crucial moment came in the final minutes of overtime when Hurley, frustrated by the game’s outcome, received a technical foul. Coupled with a team foul, this handed Memphis four free throws, two of which sealed the game.

The loss stings, especially given Hurley’s history of outshining Hardaway in various arenas—whether scoring 1,000 points as a player at Seton Hall or achieving a stellar 60% accuracy in charity contests. However, the Huskies will need to regroup quickly if they hope to reclaim their momentum and prove their ranking is no fluke.