LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — A tournament known for its beautiful surroundings and deep fields, the Maui Invitational could be on the verge of one-upping itself as the pre-eminent holiday hoops tournament with seven teams coming off NCAA tournament appearances and a field that’s combined for 20 national championships.
“That’s the reason it’s been such a great tournament because they’ve always had great fields,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said yesterday, just a few yards from picturesque Kaanapali Beach. “This one measures up to any of the others in the past.”
No. 6 Duke, the four-time Maui champion, is 12-0 under Krzyzewski at the tournament. Josh Pastner returns to the Maui Invitational for the first time as a coach, leading 10th-ranked Memphis after playing and serving as an assistant coach for Arizona in two previous trips here.
No. 12 Kansas, a three-time NCAA champion, is back in Maui for the first time since 2005.
No. 17 Michigan, which won a national championship in 1989, is back in Maui after a 13-year absence with a team that returns four starters.
UCLA has the deepest resume with 11 national titles and the 2006 Maui title, but is looking to bounce back after two ugly losses.
Throw in Tennessee, Georgetown and upset-specialist Chaminade, the host, and it could be an entertaining three days at quaint Lahaina Civic Center starting this morning.