Tigers upset no. 2 Huskies

On By Littum

MAUI, Hawaii – Memphis basketball upset No. 2 UConn, the two-time defending national champion, 99-97 in overtime Monday at the Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center.

In what might be the biggest win of coach Penny Hardaway’s career, Tyrese Hunter hit a career-high seven 3-pointers en route to a game-high 26 points. Three other Tigers fell in double figures, including PJ Haggerty (22 before second-half foul), Dain Dainja and Colby Rogers.

Reserve guard PJ Carter made four straight clutch free throws with 40.3 seconds left in overtime. UConn’s Liam McNeeley was whistled for an offensive foul that gave the Huskies bench a technical foul, sending Carter to the line for four free throws. Carter hit two more with 13.2 seconds left to put Memphis up 98-94.

Carter finished with 9 points (all in overtime), while Rogers also scored 8 in the extra period.

Tarris Reed Jr. was borderline unstoppable for the Huskies, finishing with a double-double (22 points, 11 rebounds). Unstoppable until fouls forced him to leave the game with under four minutes to play in regulation and Memphis leading 77-67.

The first half was a classic back-and-forth, nip-and-tuck battle between a pair of heavyweights. Memphis led for a total of 11:59 through the first 20 minutes. UConn either had the lead or the game was tied until the second 8:01.

Haggerty was the leading scorer for the Tigers, with 10 in the first half. But his supporting cast stepped up in a big way. Hunter and Colby Rogers each scored 9, while Dain Dainja added 8.

Jaylin Stewart and Reed combined for 29 of UConn’s 40 points before halftime — all off the bench.

Dirty trouble was a common thread. Nicholas Jourdain struck out midway through the second half, the third time in five games the senior has done so. Haggerty also played much of the second half with four fouls. UConn starting guard Solo Ball spent much of the second half on the bench with four fouls, while Reed and Aidan Mahaney also had four.

Memphis will face either Michigan State or Colorado on Tuesday.

Watch Memphis basketball vs UConn live on ESPN+ (subscribe today)

Memphis basketball vs UConn score updates

This section will be updated when the game starts.

Solo Ball drilled the game-tying 3-pointer for No. 2 UConn with 1.2 seconds left to tie the game 82-82. Tyrese Hunter attempted a three-quarter court lift, but it missed the mark.

Memphis senior point guard Tyrese Hunter has tied his career high with seven 3-pointers. He’s up for 26 points and the Tigers lead UConn 68-58 with 7:57 left.

The Tigers’ offense slowed down a bit in the early part of the second half, hitting just two of their six field goal attempts. But the defense continues to hinder the Huskies. UConn has started the second half just 1-of-5. Memphis leads 46-43 with 15:41 left. PJ Haggerty and Tyrese Hunter each have 12 points.

The Tigers and Huskies are all tied at 40-40 after the first half. PJ Haggerty led a balanced Tigers effort in the first half with 10 points. Tyrese Hunter and Colby Rogers added 9, while Dain Dainja added 8.

The Tigers have come out strong at the Maui Invitational against the two-time defending national champion Huskies. Memphis is already in the bonus and leads 16-12 with 11:44 left in the first half.

UConn coach Dan Hurley has been extremely unhappy with the performance of the officiating crews at the beginning of Monday’s game against Memphis. At the first media timeout, he was particularly vocal. Shortly after, UConn received a “team bench” technical foul.

Memphis’ shooter, Colby Rogers, is already up to 7 points for the Tigers. He hit a pair of 3-pointers and made a free throw to help Memphis hold an early 9-8 lead.

Penny Hardaway keeps the same starting lineup as the San Francisco game: Tyrese Hunter, PJ Haggerty, Colby Rogers, Nicholas Jourdain and Moussa Cisse.

Starting for the Huskies today: Liam McNeeley, Aidan Mahaney, Alex Karaban, Solo Ball and Samson Johnson.

What time is Memphis basketball vs UConn playing today?

  • Date: Monday 25 Nov
  • Time: 1:30 p.m. CT
  • Location: Lahaina Civic Center

What channel is Memphis basketball vs UConn game on today?

TV channel: ESPN2 (Dan Shulman, play-by-play; Jay Bilas, color analyst)

Streaming: ESPN+

Radio: 98.9-FM The Roar (Dave Woloshin, play-by-play; Matt Dillon, color analyst)

Memphis vs. UConn will be streamed live on ESPN+. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Memphis basketball vs UConn predictions

The Huskies will have their hands full with the Tigers. UConn has yet to face a team ranked in the top 300 on KenPom this season. Meanwhile, Memphis already has three wins over teams ranked in the top 100 on KenPom. But betting against the Huskies seems like an unwise decision.

Memphis basketball vs UConn odds

Game lines and odds fromBetMGM from Monday:

  • Spread:UConn -8.5
  • Above/below : 150.5
  • Moneyline: Memphis -105, UConn +115

Memphis basketball vs UConn injury updates

Tigers guards PJ Haggerty and Tyrese Hunter are both still dealing with nagging knee injuries. They haven’t necessarily limited Haggerty or Hunter in games, but neither has been a full participant in practice in nearly three weeks. Given the shorter window between San Francisco and Maui, their status is unclear.

Memphis basketball upcoming schedule

Tip-off times not yet determined (unless otherwise stated)

  • November 26: vs. Michigan State or Colorado (TBD, Maui Invitational)
  • November 27: vs. North Carolina, Iowa State, Auburn or Dayton (TBD, Maui Invitational)
  • December 4: vs. Louisiana Tech (7 p.m., ESPN+, FedExForum)
  • December 8: vs. Arkansas State (3 p.m., ESPNU, FedExForum)
  • December 14: at Clemson (10 a.m., ESPN2, Littlejohn Coliseum)

Buy Memphis basketball tickets this season through StubHub

UConn basketball upcoming schedule

All times central

  • November 26: vs. Colorado or Michigan State (TBD, Maui Invitational)
  • November 27: vs. North Carolina, Iowa State, Auburn or Dayton (TBD, Maui Invitational)
  • November 30: vs. UMES (6 p.m., Peacock, XL Center)
  • December 4:vs. Baylor (5:30 p.m., FS1, Harry A. Gampel Pavilion)
  • December 8:vs. Texas (4 p.m., ESPN, Moody Coliseum)

Memphis basketball news

Reach sportswriter Jason Munz at [email protected] or follow him @munzlyon X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking on one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently and this does not affect our coverage.