The No. 2-ranked UConn Huskies dropped a heart-wrenching 79-77 decision to the Memphis Tigers in one of the most intense collegiate basketball games played this season, and head coach Dan Hurley made sure everyone knew his team was done in by wayward officials – namely, that appalling late foul call that sealed the loss.
Tragedy, however, struck when the game had all the makings of a classic postseason thriller. The game entered its final minutes tied, and UConn appeared poised to seal the win when a Memphis player drove to the basket, but the foul was called on UConn’s Adama Sanogo with only seconds left to play. Memphis was rewarded with free throws, which they subsequently converted, sealing its victory.
It came down to the end with a call, with less than five seconds left in the game, when Memphis’ guard took the ball to the rim, making contact with Sanogo who had been playing tight defense the entire game. The whistle of the referee sent Sanogo to the line for two crucial free throws, sending the game to the potential final possession. The Tigers’ guard made both, and UConn ran out of time, losing by just two.
The controversy has sent shockwaves among fans and analysts, who are questioning the merits of the late foul call. To be sure, while some observers pointed out that the contact was indeed a foul, others would agree with Hurley’s judgment that such a call was overdone, given the context of the game.
While the sour taste certainly swirled from that late foul call, UConn was also prone to a series of key mistakes throughout the game that ultimately contributed to its demise. Though highly ranked, the Huskies struggled with turnovers – mainly in the second half – and Memphis capitalized off those mistakes, scoring off several fast breaks.
UConn’s best player, Adama Sanogo, ended with 22 points and 12 rebounds but looked concerned by how the game slipped through their fingers.
Memphis’s win over the Red Wolves was a major boost to their postseason hopes, as star guard Kendric Davis led the charge with 25 points and several clutch free throws down the stretch. Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway praised his team’s resilience in the closing moments of the game.
The setback does come at a bad time for UConn, which has had a dominant season, but it’s far from over for the Huskies. With Hurley on the sidelines and a fresh roster, UConn is still very much in the hunt for a high seed in the tournament. But the loss against Memphis will sure be a bitter reminder of the fine margins in college basketball; a single call, or perhaps worse, can transform any game.
Hurley, the fiery coach, will surely continue to battle for his team, but what this loss has also served to do is remind him of how vital it is to keep oneself composed even when the tension building at high-performing situations in tight games comes calling.
UConn will look to bounce back into their next matchup, looking to shake off the sting of this loss and move forward with renewed focus on their tournament aspirations.
