UConn permanently tired of Maui Invitational, analyst says: ‘Won’t go back’

The weather may be heavenly in Maui, but Dan Hurley and his UConn Huskies haven’t enjoyed much of their trip to Hawaii this year.

The Huskies are 0-2 so far in Lahaina, but it’s not the loss itself that could keep UConn from getting back to the Maui Invitational (UConn hasn’t defended well enough to win) — it’s the atrocious officiating that has dictated both share games.

A BIG EAST team like UConn is used to playing in games that are officiated professionally and fairly for both sides, with referees who understand how to call a physical, high-major Division-I basketball game. That hasn’t been the case in Maui, for what it’s worth.

Not getting a good whistle is part of basketball, and the Huskies aren’t exempt from receiving abuse from referees just because they’re back-to-back champs. In fact, it is more likely to occur. A UConn loss is a big headline these days, and the powers that be at the Maui Invitational want the event to receive all the media attention it can get while the tournament is underway.

Hurley, who concerned the official during the post game Tuesday, knows adversity as such is something his team has to go through and something that will make his players stronger as a result.

“(The officiating) has a big impact, obviously,” Hurley said.

“It just speaks to how the last two days have gone for us. You know, yesterday was an over-the-back that was called against us, and today it was more brutal because the kid … pulled Liam (McNeely’s ) arm down. I saw the replay of that.”

“In basketball, sometimes you don’t get a good whistle. It just didn’t bounce our way here.”

“It killed us to have so many guys in foul trouble during the game.”

While Hurley has been far more composed and reserved with the officials during both Maui press conferences than his on-court demeanor suggests, there is already considerable buzz that UConn has felt disrespected by the tournament to such an extent that they never returns. at least not in the Hurley era.

FOX Sports’ John Fanta broke such a revelation about an hour after the Colorado game on Tuesday.

“Well, we can conclude one thing: UConn will not be back in the Maui Invitational,” Fanta wrote to X.

It’s an interesting narrative that will surround UConn and Hurley for the rest of the festival week. How useful are these games in Maui to major programs if the contests aren’t played out the way games will be in March, or even as early as conference in December?

There is a valid argument to be made about the value of going through abhorrent service conditions to build team character.

But that certainly won’t help your NCAA Tournament seeding.

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