Feast Week Fallout: UConn Stumbles, Auburn Shines, and Louisville Surprises
Well, well, well. Feast Week has come and gone, and if you thought you had college basketball all figured out, think again. Everything we thought we knew just a few weeks ago has been turned on its head. The Maui Invitational, one of the most anticipated events of the season, delivered drama, surprises, and a whole lot of questions about some of the sport’s biggest names.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Maui Invitational was stacked. It boasted one of the strongest fields in recent memory, but the lasting image wasn’t of a team cutting down nets or a player hitting a game-winning shot. No, it was UConn head coach Dan Hurley, a two-time national champion, throwing sideline tantrums as his team unraveled in three straight losses. While Hurley’s emotions stole the spotlight, other preseason contenders like Duke, North Carolina, and Indiana also left Thanksgiving weekend with more questions than answers. Meanwhile, new stars emerged, and teams like Oregon and Louisville made unexpected statements. Feast Week was a rollercoaster, and we’re here to help you make sense of it all.
Connecticut’s Three-Peat Dreams Are Over
Let’s not sugarcoat it: UConn’s hopes of a historic three-peat are all but dead. The Huskies, who entered the season looking to become the first team to win three straight national titles since UCLA’s legendary run under John Wooden from 1964 to 1973, fell apart in Maui. They suffered a rare three-game losing streak, dropping games to Memphis, Colorado, and Dayton. And while their offense was still solid—finishing 14th in adjusted offensive efficiency nationally and shooting 38% from three over those three days, according to barttorvik.com—their defense was a disaster. UConn ranked 185th nationally in defensive efficiency during those losses, as their opponents combined to shoot a blistering 53% from beyond the arc.
One particularly telling moment came at the end of UConn’s loss to Colorado. With seconds left in a one-point game, UConn’s Hassan Diarra sprinted to the right side of the floor, but Colorado’s Julian Hammond III didn’t switch on screens, seemingly unbothered by the potential mismatch. That kind of defensive gamble would have been unthinkable against UConn teams of the past two years, which featured NBA-caliber talent like Tristen Newton, Stephon Castle, and Adama Sanogo. But this year’s roster lacks that same star power, a fact even opposing coaches have noticed. One coach who faced UConn in Maui said, “We told our team that if you take UConn off their chest, that’s not the same talent level. They don’t have any pros, outside of Alex Karaban.”
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
Dan Hurley is undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the country, but even he may not be able to overcome the talent gap on this year’s roster. UConn’s three-peat dreams? Consider them dashed.
Auburn Looks Like a National Title Favorite
On the flip side, Auburn is making a strong case to be the team to beat this season. The Tigers capped off an impressive Feast Week by winning the Maui Invitational title, and their star forward Johni Broome has been nothing short of sensational. Broome, who’s emerging as a frontrunner for the Wooden Award, opened the championship game against Memphis with a three-pointer, followed it up with a left hook in the lane, and later added a putback at the rim. He’s been a force, shooting 68% inside the arc this season and going 7-for-15 from three over his last four games.
Broome’s dominance has helped Auburn climb to the top of KenPom’s rankings, where they’re first in adjusted offensive efficiency and seventh in adjusted defensive efficiency. The Tigers are averaging 86.7 points per game and boast wins over Memphis, North Carolina, Houston, and Iowa State. Head coach Bruce Pearl has a deep rotation, with eight players averaging at least 15 minutes per game, and the team’s length and versatility make them a nightmare matchup for anyone.
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
It’s early, but Auburn has the resume, the metrics, and the talent to make a deep run in March. Don’t be surprised if the Tigers are cutting down nets come April.
Indiana’s Big Ten Hopes Are Fading
Indiana entered the season with high expectations, but Feast Week exposed some troubling flaws. The Hoosiers were torched defensively in losses to Louisville and Gonzaga, surrendering 124 and 120 points per 100 possessions, respectively. Their defense currently ranks 71st in adjusted efficiency, and their struggles to score inside the arc have only added to their woes.
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
With 11 Big Ten teams ranked in KenPom’s top 50, Indiana is in danger of falling behind in the conference race. Head coach Mike Woodson has his work cut out for him if the Hoosiers are going to turn things around.
Duke’s Tough Schedule Will Pay Off
Duke’s young squad, led by freshman phenom Cooper Flagg, has faced a brutal early schedule, with games against Kentucky, Kansas, and Arizona. While the Blue Devils lost to Kentucky and Kansas, they were competitive in both games, and Flagg’s late-game mistakes are understandable for a player who isn’t even 18 years old yet.
Verdict: OVERREACTION
Head coach Jon Scheyer scheduled these tough matchups to help his team grow, and the experience will pay dividends come March. Don’t count out the Blue Devils just yet.
Louisville Finds New Life Under Pat Kelsey
Louisville has been a program in turmoil for years, but new head coach Pat Kelsey is injecting some much-needed energy into the Cardinals. Louisville impressed in the Battle 4 Atlantis, picking up wins over Indiana and West Virginia and nearly knocking off Oklahoma in the title game. Kelsey’s enthusiasm and coaching acumen are exactly what the program needed to turn the page on its troubled past.
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
Louisville fans have reason to be optimistic for the first time in a long time. Kelsey appears to be the right man to lead the Cardinals into a new era.
Feast Week gave us plenty to talk about, from UConn’s collapse to Auburn’s rise and Louisville’s resurgence. If this is just the beginning, we’re in for one wild college basketball season.
Originally Written by: Myron Medcalf
