"Coach rushed me to make the last play": Colorado's Andrej Jakimovski breaks down his game-winner vs Dan Hurley's UConn

Andrej Jakimovski hit a clutch, off-balance layup with eight seconds remaining to lift Colorado to a dramatic 73-72 victory over No. 2 UConn at the Maui Invitational on Tuesday. The defeat marked the Huskies’ second loss in as many days, following a 99-97 overtime thriller against Memphis that left coach Dan Hurley fuming over officiating decisions.

With the Buffaloes trailing 72-71 in the final moments, Jakimovski drove to his right, absorbed contact from UConn’s Liam McNeeley and banked in a shot as he fell to the floor. The Buffaloes (5-1) shot an impressive 62.5% in the second half, keeping pace with the two-time defending national champions.

Reflecting on the decisive play, Jakimovski explained in the postgame press conference:

"Coach trusted me to make the last play, and I knew I had to go down there and finish. After a tough loss yesterday, we showed character and defended our hearts out. UConn is probably one of the best offensive teams I’ve faced in my college career."

In another interview with NCAA correspondent Andy Katz, the Macedonia national also said the last play was rushed and designed for him by coach Tad Boyle.

Jakimovski, a 6-foot-8 graduate student at Colorado, transferred after four years at Washington State, where he averaged 7.1 points and 4.6 rebounds over 120 career games.

In his senior year (2023-24), he contributed 9.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, starting all 35 contests for the Cougars and helping them to a 25-10 record and a second-round NCAA Tournament appearance. He also ranks ninth in Washington State’s history with 184 career 3-pointers.

Colorado’s Shows Strong Response to Adversity

The victory against UConn came on the heels of Colorado’s struggles in its previous game—a 16-point loss to Michigan State, where the Buffs scored a season-low 56 points and shot just 37% from the field.

Against UConn, however, the Buffaloes bounced back with a 51.1% shooting performance, including an impressive 56.3% (9-of-16) from beyond the arc. They also edged the Huskies 28-26 on the boards, a marked improvement from being out-rebounded 42-29 by Michigan State.

The game’s final moments saw UConn call a timeout to draw up a potential game-winning play, but Colorado’s defense forced a tightly contested 3-point attempt, securing its first win over UConn.

This victory marked yet another signature upset for coach Tad Boyle. It was the seventh time his Buffaloes have defeated a top-10 team, improving his record in such matchups to 7-24. The triumph highlights Boyle’s ability to lead his team to rise to the occasion against elite competition.

For Colorado, this statement win reinforces their potential to compete at the highest level. It also demonstrates their resilience and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. As the season progresses, this victory could serve as a pivotal moment, setting the stage for further success.