"That guy has killed us": Dan Hurley praises Xaviers star Dante Maddox Jr as UConn suffers major upset

Dan Hurley's UConn Huskies suffered another massive letdown Saturday night, losing 76-72 to Xavier. Hurley was disappointed with his squad's performance but heaped praise on Xavier's Dante Maddox Jr., who once again torched his team.

The win for the Musketeers (13-8, 5-5 Big East) avenged a December overtime loss to UConn (14-6, 6-3 Big East). Maddox, a senior guard, scored 14 points off the bench, knocking down three of his four from 3-point range.

"Exact game we expected to find ourselves in," Dan Hurley said postgame. "These guys have been playing great. We had our chances but we turned it over too much. Maddox likes our jerseys. That guy has killed us."

The Huskies attempted a late comeback after Solo Ball's three free throws pulled them within 74-72 with a minute and a half left. However, UConn failed to get a shot off down the stretch, which allowed Xavier to hang on for the narrow win.

Dante Maddox Jr., who had two zero-point games in his previous four outings against St. John's and Villanova, came up big for the Musketeers against Hurley's UConn.

"Honestly, I just think it's been a luck of the draw for UConn. I don't think it's been anything, it's not just them," Maddox said postgame when asked about his consistent success against the Huskies.

"I feel like coach really challenged me this week, especially after our last couple of games, to help produce and help our guys ... so, I just think they just so happen to be the next team on the schedule."

In the previous meeting between the two teams on Dec. 18, Maddox recorded a season-high 22 points and four rebounds in a 94-89 overtime loss.

Dan Hurley and UConn Huskies suffer third loss in five games

The loss to Xavier at Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, was UConn’s third in its past five games. The Huskies came into the matchup after surviving a 80-78 overtime win over Butler at XL Center on Tuesday.

Dan Hurley's UConn has experienced a roller-coaster season so far, with wins over Baylor, Texas and Gonzaga, while suffering defeats to Dayton, Memphis and now Xavier. The Huskies were 4-0 in Big East play before their loss at Villanova on Jan. 8.

looked to bounce back in their next matchup against rival Georgetown on Jan. 11 and won 68-60, but then dropped a disappointing game against Creighton at home last week, 68-63.

They play DePaul on Wednesday before another tough road matchup at Marquette on Feb. 1.