Maui Invitational: Basketball Tournament Champions Crowned

who won the maui invitational basketball tournament

The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place during Thanksgiving week, usually in Lahaina, Hawaii, at the Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui. It is hosted by Chaminade University of Honolulu, an NCAA Division II school. Eight NCAA Division I men's basketball teams are invited to compete in the tournament, with Chaminade competing every other year. The 2023 Maui Invitational Tournament was won by Purdue, who defeated Marquette in the final. The 2024 Maui Invitational was won by Auburn, who beat Memphis 90-76 in the championship game.

Characteristics Values
Type of tournament Annual early-season college basketball tournament
Host Chaminade University of Honolulu
Participants Seven or eight NCAA Division I men's basketball teams and Chaminade
Location Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui, Hawaii
Date Thanksgiving week
Sponsors Novavax, Maui Jim, EA Sports, Camping World, Allstate
Previous winners Michigan (1988), North Carolina (2004, 2008, 2016), UConn (2010), Purdue (2023), Auburn (2024)

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The 2023 Maui Invitational

The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place during Thanksgiving week. The tournament, hosted by Chaminade University of Honolulu, features seven or eight NCAA Division I men's basketball teams, with Chaminade competing every other year. The 2023 Maui Invitational was held from November 20 to 22 and was the 40th edition of the tournament. Due to the Hawaii wildfires, the event was relocated from the Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui to the Stan Sheriff Center on the campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in Honolulu.

The eight teams that participated in the 2023 Maui Invitational were:

  • Purdue
  • Marquette
  • Syracuse
  • Chaminade
  • Gonzaga
  • UCLA
  • Kansas
  • Tennessee

In the championship game, Purdue defeated Marquette 78-75, led by reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey, who scored 28 points and 15 rebounds. Edey was named the tournament MVP. In the third-place game, Kansas beat Tennessee 69-60, and in the seventh-place game, Syracuse defeated Chaminade 105-56.

The Maui Invitational has a reputation for showcasing some of the top basketball programs in the country, and the 2023 edition was no exception, with several potential national title contenders among the participating teams. The tournament is also known for its scenic location, usually taking place on the island of Maui, and it has become a tradition for college basketball enthusiasts during Thanksgiving week.

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Past winners

The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place during Thanksgiving week, usually in Lahaina, Hawaii, at the Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui. It has been held since 1984 and is hosted by Chaminade University of Honolulu, an NCAA Division II school.

Chaminade has participated in the Maui Invitational every year since its inception until 2018. The Silverswords were in the championship bracket in 2023 and compete in the Maui bracket during odd-numbered years. In 2017, Chaminade upset California 96-72. In 2021, they lost to Oregon, Notre Dame, and Butler. In the 2023 edition, Chaminade lost to Kansas, UCLA, and Syracuse.

The 2023 Maui Invitational featured eight men's college basketball teams and was won by Purdue, who defeated Marquette 28-15 behind reigning Naismith Player of the Year Zach Edey, who was named tournament MVP. The 2024 Maui Invitational also featured eight men's college basketball teams, with Auburn beating Memphis 90-76 in the championship game. Johni Broome stood out in the win with 21 points and 16 rebounds.

On five occasions, the winner of the Maui Invitational has gone on to win the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship later that season: Michigan in 1988, North Carolina in 2004, 2008, and 2016, and UConn in 2010.

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Chaminade University of Honolulu

Chaminade University offers bachelor's degrees in 23 fields of study and 5 master's degree programs. The university is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. It is also a Native Hawaiian Serving Institution, offering a Native Hawaiian emphasis in its Behavioral Studies Program, as well as Native Hawaiian culture resources and scholarships for students of Native Hawaiian ancestry. The university has five schools: Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Business and Communication; Humanities, Arts, and Design; Education and Behavioral Science; and Nursing.

In addition to its academic programs, Chaminade University of Honolulu is known for its athletics program. The university's team name is the "Silverswords," a reference to a Hawaiian plant that is prized for its beauty and resilience. Chaminade University fields teams in various sports, including baseball, basketball, cross country, golf for men, softball, tennis, and volleyball for women. The university also hosts the annual Maui Invitational basketball tournament, an early-season college basketball tournament that takes place during Thanksgiving week in Lahaina, Hawaii. The tournament features seven or eight NCAA Division I men's basketball teams, with Chaminade competing every other year.

The Maui Invitational has a rich history, dating back to its roots in one of the greatest upsets in college basketball. On December 23, 1982, the undefeated University of Virginia made an unexpected trip to Honolulu and played against Chaminade, which at the time belonged to the NAIA. This game is considered a landmark moment in college basketball history. The tournament has been played annually since 1984 and has featured some of the top basketball programs in the country.

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Format

The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place during Thanksgiving week, usually in Lahaina, Hawaii, at the Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui. It is hosted by Chaminade University of Honolulu, an NCAA Division II school. The Maui Invitational has been held since 1984 and is broadcast by ESPN.

The tournament format includes seven or eight NCAA Division I men's basketball teams invited to compete in Maui, with Chaminade competing every other year. Beginning with the 2011 tournament, four additional mainland teams were added to the field, playing the Maui-bound teams at home. These mainland teams then play each other in regional games, with the winners advancing to the championship contest. The losers of the initial games compete in a consolation game before the championship.

Since 2018, Chaminade has played games on the mainland in even-numbered years, and eight Division I schools compete in the championship bracket on Maui. In odd-numbered years, Chaminade competes in the Maui championship bracket. The tournament provides an opportunity for schools to face off on a neutral court with some of the top basketball programs in the country. Generally, one team from each of the six major conferences (Pac-12, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, SEC, and the pre-2013 Big East) participates, along with one team from other conferences, ensuring a diverse range of competitors.

The Maui Invitational has a rich history, with some memorable upsets. Chaminade's victory over the top-ranked and undefeated University of Virginia in 1982 is considered one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history. The tournament has also served as a springboard for teams that went on to win the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship later that season. This feat has been achieved five times: by Michigan in 1988, North Carolina in 2004, 2008, and 2016, and UConn in 2010.

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Sponsors

The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place during Thanksgiving week. The tournament is hosted by Chaminade University of Honolulu, an NCAA Division II school. Seven or eight NCAA Division I men's basketball teams are invited to compete, with Chaminade competing every other year. The tournament has been played since 1984 and is carried by ESPN.

As of 2024, the title sponsor of the Maui Invitational Tournament is Novavax. Previous sponsors include Maui Jim, EA Sports, Camping World, and Allstate. The 2023 tournament was the first year that Allstate, the insurance company, was the main sponsor. The tournament has been a significant revenue generator for the local economy, with the 2007 event bringing in over $8 million, according to the Maui Visitors Bureau. The sponsorship deals have likely contributed to the tournament's success and its ability to attract top college basketball teams and visitors from all over the country.

Frequently asked questions

Purdue defeated Marquette in the 2023 Maui Invitational Tournament. Zach Edey was named tournament MVP.

Auburn won the 2024 Maui Invitational, beating Memphis 90-76 in the championship game.

As of 2024, the title sponsor of the Maui Invitational is Novavax. Previous sponsors include Maui Jim, EA Sports, Camping World, and Allstate.

The Maui Invitational has been played since 1984.

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