The Maui Invitational tipped off Monday with eight teams eye on championships at the iconic Lahaina Civic Center. This marks the 41st annual Southwest Maui Invitational. The tournament runs through Wednesday, Nov. 26. NC State entered as the highest-ranked squad at No. 25.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Eight teams compete from Nov. 24-26 at Lahaina Civic Center.
- NC State is ranked 25th and favored at +190 odds.
- Texas (+210) and USC (+270) are also top contenders.
- Championship game airs Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.
- All 12 games televised on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU.
What Happened Monday in Maui
The tournament opened with four games across the island paradise. First-year coach Will Wade brought his 4-0 Wolfpack to their Maui debut against Seton Hall at 2:30 p.m. ET. Wade’s squad came ranked and looking to impose its efficient offense. The Wolfpack have been lighting it up early, scoring at historic rates.
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Meanwhile, USC and Boise State collided in game two at 5 p.m. ET. Eric Musselman now leads the Trojans in year two. Leon Rice, the winningest coach in Boise State history, knows these islands well. The late window belonged to Arizona State and Texas, tipping at 11:30 p.m. ET. Both programs have won this tournament before, giving them serious pedigree.
Washington State made its Maui debut against host Chaminade at 9 p.m. ET. Remember, that 1982 Chaminade upset of top-ranked Virginia inspired the entire event. This tournament carries serious historical weight.
Why This Tournament Matters So Much
The Maui Invitational isn’t just another preseason showcase. Look at history and you see five past champions won national titles. Auburn won last year’s championship and made the Final Four. Purdue captured the 2023 event and reached the championship game in March. This tournament absolutely matters for seeding conversations down the line.
Plus, the competition level stays consistently elite. Teams participating in prior tournaments own 73 of the 84 NCAA national championships. The prestige runs deep. Early November basketball matters when the court is in Hawaii and the field looks this strong. You’re watching teams establish their tournament credentials before anything else is on the line.
The Tournament Details and Schedule
Three days determine titles and credentials. Here’s the full bracket play:
| Date | Games | TV Network |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Nov. 24 | NC State vs. Seton Hall (2:30p ET), USC vs. Boise State (5p ET), Washington State vs. Chaminade (9p ET), Arizona State vs. Texas (11:30p ET) | ESPN2, ESPNU |
| Tuesday, Nov. 25 | Four games. Winners advance. Losers drop to consolation bracket. | ESPN, ESPN2 |
| Wednesday, Nov. 26 | Championship at 2:30p ET. Third place, fifth place, seventh place games follow. | ESPN, ESPN2 |
All games are available on the ESPN app for streaming fans. The tournament bounces between ESPNU, ESPN2, and ESPN channels through the event. This year’s field looks stacked from top to bottom.
Who’s Got the Best Shot at the Title?
Analytics favor NC State right now. The Wolfpack arrived undefeated and ranked. Will Wade’s squad is scoring at an elite level. They’re ranked fourth nationally in scoring average at 100.8 points per game. That’s film-session material right there. The preseason pick lists had them scoring around +190 to win outright.
Texas and USC figure to pose serious challenges. Sean Miller returns to Maui with the Longhorns after winning it in 2014 with Arizona. Musselman knows the island too from his Arkansas days. These aren’t first-time visitors playing on vacation. They know what this event teaches.
Still, anybody with eight strong programs in one building can produce chaos. March Madness begins in November up here. So how much confidence should you have in preseason favorites? Plenty, until the buzzer sounds.
What To Watch Next
- NC State’s offense keeps clicking or slows down.
- Will Wade gets his first big-stage tournament win.
- Texas and USC battle for the title.
- Dark horses like Seton Hall surprise anyone.
- Championship Wednesday evening at 2:30 p.m. ET
Which Team Deserves to Paint the Paradise With Glory?
Early season tournaments separate the real deals from pretenders. Yeah, sample sizes matter. But when elite programs gather in Hawaii before Thanksgiving, something gets revealed about character. NC State looks ready for the moment. They’ve played three games already at tournament pace. The Wolfpack haven’t encountered tournament-level opponents yet. Maui changes that fast.
Watch closely Tuesday. First-round winners face elimination games against losers who just played. Fatigue becomes a factor. Mental toughness shows up. Depth matters in a three-day grind like this. Only one team—the champion—leaves Hawaii with zero doubt about their readiness. Everyone else has questions answered.
Ready to watch brackets get tested in paradise? The tournament continues Tuesday with four games starting at 2:30 p.m. ET. Can NC State stay perfect? Will Texas shake things up? Which dark horse surprises everyone?
Sources
- NCAA.com – Comprehensive bracket, schedule, and tournament details.
- The Sports Geek – Odds analysis and championship predictions.
- USA Today Sports – Team previews and power rankings.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.