The Maui Invitational wasn’t supposed to be a springboard to national prominence, Hawaii wasn’t necessarily supposed to be Kemba Walker’s personal playground and, put simply, the Huskies weren’t supposed to do what they did over the past three days.
But a nation’s eyes were opened to the offensive brilliance of Walker, who scored baskets as if he was casually chucking stones into the Pacific Ocean, and all else followed.
After two nail-biters that showed their resolve, the unranked Huskies on Wednesday night streamrolled No. 8 Kentucky, 84-67, in the Maui Invitational championship game before a wild crowd of 2,400 at the Lahaina Civic Center.
Walker, named the tournament MVP, again led the way. He scored 29 points on 10-for-17 shooting. Alex Oriakhi had 18 points and 11 rebounds, his second consecutive dominant performance. Niels Giffey, playing his best game, had 14 points. Shabazz Napier, running the point with Walker at shooting guard, had 12 points. Jamal Coombs-McDaniel added nine.
It was UConn’s second victory in a row over a top 10 team. The Huskies also won the Maui Invitational in 2005. That year, they were supposed to. This year, they sent shockwaves back to the mainland and throughout the college basketball world.
Kemba Walker Maui Title
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