Saoirse Downs
The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place during Thanksgiving week in Lahaina, Hawaii. It is hosted by Chaminade University of Honolulu, an NCAA Division II school. Chaminade has competed in every Maui Invitational until 2018 and will continue to do so in odd-numbered years. The tournament has been praised as the best in-season tournament in the country by Associated Press college basketball editor Jim O'Connell. While various schools have won the tournament over the years, North Carolina has won it three times—in 2004, 2008, and 2016.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Teams | 7 or 8 NCAA Division I men's basketball teams |
| Host | Chaminade University of Honolulu |
| Location | Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui, Hawaii |
| Sponsor | Novavax (as of 2024) |
| Previous Sponsors | Maui Jim, EA Sports, Camping World, Allstate |
| Year Started | 1984 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Time of Year | Thanksgiving Week |
| Notable Upset | Chaminade defeating Virginia in 1982 |
| Number of Schools Represented | 108 |
| Number of Conferences Represented | 26 |
| Number of States Represented | 40 |
| Winners Who Went on to Win NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship | Michigan (1988), North Carolina (2004, 2008, 2016), UConn (2010) |
| 2023 Location | Stan Sheriff Center, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu |
| 2024 Winner | Auburn |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Chaminade University of Honolulu hosts the Maui Invitational
- The 2024 Maui Invitational winner: Auburn
- The 2023 Maui Invitational winner: Arizona
- The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season college basketball tournament
- The Maui Invitational has been praised as the best in-season tournament in the country
Chaminade University of Honolulu hosts the Maui Invitational
The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place during Thanksgiving week. It is hosted by Chaminade University of Honolulu, an NCAA Division II school. The tournament takes place in Lahaina, Hawaii, at the Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui. However, due to wildfires that ravaged Maui in 2023, the tournament was moved to Honolulu.
Chaminade University of Honolulu has hosted this event for the past 36 years, since its inception in 1984. The tournament invites seven or eight NCAA Division I men's basketball teams to compete in the field, with Chaminade competing every other year. In odd-numbered years, Chaminade will compete in the championship bracket. The Maui Invitational is considered one of the premier in-season tournaments, providing schools an opportunity to compete on a neutral court with some of the top basketball programs in the country.
The tournament has its roots in a game considered one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history. On December 23, 1982, the top-ranked and undefeated University of Virginia, led by two-time national player of the year Ralph Sampson, made a trip to Honolulu. Originally intending to play the University of Hawaii, Virginia agreed to play Chaminade, then a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) school, instead. Chaminade pulled off a shocking upset, defeating Virginia 77-72 in front of 3,300 spectators. Shortly after, Virginia's head coach suggested that Chaminade consider starting a Hawaii tournament.
The Maui Classic was inaugurated two years later in 1984, with Chaminade reaching the final and losing to Providence. Chaminade has appeared in every Maui Invitational from 1984 to 2017, with the exception of 2018 when they played in the "Mainland" bracket. The Silverswords, as they are known, are 8-96 in Maui Invitational history but have made their mark with several notable upsets. Chaminade has faced countless Hall of Fame coaches, national champions, and top-25 teams annually, making their early-season schedule extremely challenging.
Ferrell's Naked Basketball: Unfiltered and Unmissable
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The Life of a Showgirl[Sweat & Vanilla Perfume Orange Glitter Vinyl]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/911UuOv5wEL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The 2024 Maui Invitational winner: Auburn
The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place during Thanksgiving week in Lahaina, Hawaii, at the Lahaina Civic Centre on the island of Maui. The 2024 edition saw Auburn win the tournament, marking the team's first Maui Invitational title.
Auburn's road to the championship began with a stacked bracket that included Iowa State, North Carolina, Dayton, Memphis, UConn, Michigan State, and Colorado. In their first game, Auburn faced Iowa State, a top-five team known for its stout defence, and emerged victorious. They then took on the winner of the Dayton vs. North Carolina game, advancing through to the final.
In the championship game, Auburn showcased their depth as they finished with four players in double figures: Johni Broome, Dylan Cardwell, Chad Baker-Mazara, and Denver Jones. Broome, who averaged 21.6 points per game throughout the tournament, was named the Tournament MVP. Alongside his counterpart Cardwell, they dominated the paint, combining for 12 of Auburn's 23 assists, with each contributing six assists.
Auburn's victory in the 2024 Maui Invitational adds to their impressive basketball resume and demonstrates their ability to compete against some of the top basketball programs in the country. This win further solidified their standing as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
OG's Life: Basketball Wives Star's Career and Business Ventures
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The 2023 Maui Invitational winner: Arizona
The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place during Thanksgiving week in Lahaina, Hawaii, at the Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui. Chaminade University of Honolulu, an NCAA Division II school, hosts the tournament. Seven or eight NCAA Division I men's basketball teams are invited to compete in the tournament, with Chaminade competing every other year. The Maui Invitational has been held since 1984 and is televised by ESPN.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 tournaments were relocated to the US mainland, taking place in Asheville, North Carolina, and Las Vegas, respectively. The 2023 tournament was also relocated to the island of O'ahu due to a fire that nearly destroyed the original venue. Despite these disruptions, the Maui Invitational remains a highly anticipated event, with the 2007 tournament ranked among Hawaii's top revenue-generating events, bringing in over $8 million to the local economy.
The 2023 Maui Invitational was won by the Arizona Wildcats, who defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini in the championship game. This was Arizona's second Maui Invitational title, with their first coming in 2000. The Arizona team was led by head coach Tommy Lloyd and standout players such as Bennedict Mathurin and Christian Koloko. They showcased their dynamic offense and stingy defense throughout the tournament, solidifying their status as one of the top teams in the nation.
Arizona's road to the championship in the 2023 Maui Invitational was not an easy one. They faced tough competition from some of the nation's top college basketball programs. In the opening round, they defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats, setting the tone for their dominant run. They then advanced to the quarterfinals, where they faced a challenging opponent in the Texas San Antonio Roadrunners, but managed to pull off a close victory.
The semifinal match-up against the Creighton Bluejays was a thriller, with Arizona pulling away in the second half to secure their spot in the championship game. The final against Illinois was a highly anticipated showdown between two powerhouse teams. Arizona's relentless defense and balanced scoring proved too much for Illinois, as they pulled away in the second half to clinch the Maui Invitational title.
Spencer's Basketball Journey: Will He Make It?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season college basketball tournament
Each year, seven or eight NCAA Division I men's basketball teams are invited to compete in the tournament, with Chaminade competing every other year. The Maui Invitational has become a defining feature of the college basketball season and is often considered the best in-season tournament in the country. It provides schools an opportunity to compete on a neutral court with some of the top basketball programs in the nation.
The tournament has its roots in a game considered one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history. On December 23, 1982, the top-ranked and undefeated University of Virginia made a trip to Honolulu and agreed to play against Chaminade, which at the time belonged to the NAIA. Chaminade pulled off a shocking upset, winning 77-72, and this result helped catalyze the idea of hosting a tournament featuring big-time college teams near the start of each season.
The Maui Invitational has grown into a highly anticipated event, with more than 4,000 out-of-state visitors attending each year, including players, officials, media representatives, and basketball fans. The tournament has also been a significant economic boost for the local community, with the 2007 edition generating over $8 million in revenue for the Maui economy, according to the Maui Visitors Bureau.
Lopez's Basketball Legacy: A Will-ing Warrior's Journey
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Maui Invitational has been praised as the best in-season tournament in the country
The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place during Thanksgiving week in Lahaina, Hawaii, at the Lahaina Civic Centre on the island of Maui. It is hosted by Chaminade University of Honolulu, an NCAA Division II school. The tournament has been played since 1984 and is broadcast by ESPN.
The Maui Invitational has been described as "the best in-season tournament in the country – the standard by which all others are compared" by Associated Press college basketball editor Jim O'Connell. The tournament provides schools an opportunity to compete on a neutral court with some of the top basketball programs in the country. Over its history, 108 schools representing 26 conferences and 40 states have competed in the Invitational.
The Maui Invitational has also been credited with standing the test of time and getting better with age. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament continued to be held, demonstrating its resilience and popularity. The tournament has a rich history, with some of the most memorable moments in college basketball taking place during the competition. One such moment was the 1982 upset, where the top-ranked and undefeated University of Virginia lost to Chaminade, which at the time belonged to the NAIA. This game is considered one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history and catalysed the idea of having Chaminade host big-time college teams at the start of each season.
The tournament also has a significant economic impact on the local community. The 2007 Maui Invitational Tournament was ranked among Hawaii's top revenue-generating events, bringing in more than $8 million, according to the Maui Visitors Bureau. Each year, the tournament attracts more than 4,000 out-of-state visitors, including players, officials, team and game personnel, media representatives, sponsors, and basketball fans. The competition has become a proud civic tradition for Lahaina, enhancing the town's reputation and contributing to its cultural and economic development.
UVM Men's Basketball Conference: What, Where, When?
You may want to see also
