When visiting Hawaii, embracing the spirit of aloha is essential. Without it, even paradise can turn sour.

Unfortunately, Dan Hurley seemed to forget this as UConn ended up at the bottom of the Maui Invitational with a disappointing 0-3 record.

This was a forgettable trip for the Huskies, who went from being potential back-to-back national champions to a team struggling to escape the first round of the tournament. They had their impressive 17-game winning streak snapped by Memphis in the opening match, lost a nail-biter to Colorado, and then were easily defeated by Dayton in their last game of the tournament.

Besides the poor performance, Hurley’s reputation took a hit. While he is undeniably a successful coach known for his fiery demeanor, his conduct on the sidelines was decidedly unsportsmanlike. Referees have allowed him leeway for some time, but his outbursts have become too much. Even after receiving a well-deserved technical foul during the Memphis game, he continued to criticize the officials. It’s clear that self-reflection is not on his agenda, which is why UConn is currently listed among the early men’s college basketball winners and losers.

Winners

Auburn

Starting the season at No. 1, Kansas has held onto that spot, but Auburn is proving to be the most formidable team right now. After a shaky first half against Iowa State in the Maui Invitational, the Tigers rallied to snag a last-minute victory. They went on to defeat North Carolina and then outshine Memphis in the finals.

Auburn’s star Johni Broome is making waves, leading the nation with an impressive 12.9 rebounds per game and averaging 21.7 points and 15.0 rebounds throughout the tournament, dominating alongside teammate Dylan Cardwell for a fierce frontcourt.

Oregon

Could the Ducks be the team to beat in the Big Ten? They completed the weekend as champions of the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas and are unbeaten through the first eight games of the season.

Despite losing key players from last year, Dana Altman has managed to refresh the team, leading them to some thrilling comebacks, including a victory over No. 19 Texas A&M and a solid performance against San Diego State. They successfully contained the fast-paced No. 9 Alabama team, clinching a tense last-second win.

Memphis

After a rough previous season, Penny Hardaway stepped into this campaign with a nearly entirely new squad, facing increasing pressure as they headed to Maui. They kicked things off by defeating UConn and then managed to outlast Michigan State in the semifinals. Although they eventually lost to Auburn in the finals, Memphis had a remarkable week, finding impactful players like Tyrese Hunter and PJ Haggerty, who have contributed to their impressive 46.9% performance from beyond the arc.

Oklahoma

The Battle 4 Atlantis was wide open, and Oklahoma seized the opportunity by winning the tournament in the Bahamas, with victories over Providence, No. 23 Arizona, and Louisville. The Sooners may not dazzle you with their offense, but they’ve excelled at defense, particularly in generating steals and disrupting 3-point shooting. Porter Moser hasn’t led the Sooners to a tournament appearance in his four years in Norman, but with a 7-0 start, they’re looking poised to change that narrative this season.

Louisville

Is Louisville on the rise again? The Cardinals seem to have shed their previous struggles and may have found the right direction under coach Pat Kelsey, finishing second in the Battle 4 Atlantis. They shocked Indiana with a dominating opening game and then secured a tough win against West Virginia before falling to Oklahoma in the finals. Transfer guard Chucky Hepburn has stepped up as a key player, possibly guiding Louisville toward a strong push for meaningful postseason play.

West Virginia

After a turbulent previous season, coach Darian DeVries and his son Tucker have brought hope to Morgantown. The Mountaineers kicked off the Battle 4 Atlantis with a stunning overtime victory against No. 4 Gonzaga. They suffered a loss to Louisville in the semifinals but regrouped to defeat Arizona in the third-place match, with Tucker DeVries making a significant impact by scoring 26 points and hitting eight 3-pointers against the Wildcats.

Losers

North Carolina

If not for a late surge against Dayton, North Carolina might have returned from Maui winless. They faced a crushing defeat from Auburn and were then bested by Michigan State in the third-place matchup. The Tar Heels have yet to demonstrate the prowess of a contender this season, largely due to their sluggish starts against teams.

The team has had to overcome double-digit deficits in the first half of all three games played in Maui. While they have managed to adjust in the second half, depending solely on that strategy isn’t sustainable to turn their season around.

Houston

Generally viewed as a contender for the national championship, the Cougars are leaving the Players Era Festival with two losses—one against Alabama and another in an overtime surprise against San Diego State. Interestingly, they have excelled in ball management and in forcing turnovers, yet they are allowing opponents too many free throws and are not seeing enough contributions apart from L.J. Cryer and Emanuel Sharp. Despite being one of the most successful teams in the nation, they already face three losses even before facing the tough competition in the Big 12.

Creighton

This season, Creighton was expected to be the primary challenger to Connecticut in the Big East, but after the first month, neither team looks poised for a conference title. The Blue Jays lost their first two games in the Players Era Festival against San Diego State and Texas A&M, although they managed to secure a win against Notre Dame in the seventh-place match. Currently, with a 5-3 record, Creighton hasn’t achieved any victories against top-tier opponents, which raises concerns for Greg McDermott’s team.

Indiana

With pressure mounting, Mike Woodson sought to cool the situation by recruiting top talent through the transfer portal to compete in an open Big Ten. However, Indiana’s performance at the Battle 4 Atlantis may have only heightened the scrutiny. Although Louisville has shown marked improvement, losing to them by 28 points is unacceptable. The Hoosiers were quickly defeated by Gonzaga but salvaged their trip with a win against Providence for seventh place. Their defense was underwhelming, necessitating urgent fixes.

Arizona

Tommy Lloyd has been effective during the regular season as Arizona’s coach, yet the Wildcats seem unprepared for the competitive landscape of the Big 12. Following disappointing results against Wisconsin and Duke, Arizona needed a strong showing in the Bahamas but ended up with a disappointing 1-2 record, suffering defeats to Oklahoma and West Virginia. The team’s defense has not performed well, and Caleb Love has been struggling in the games Arizona lost. As a seasoned player, Love needs to regain consistency quickly as the Wildcats head into a challenging conference schedule.