2017 Maui Invitational bracket released, who is the favorite?

The bracket for the 2017 Maui Jim Maui Invitational has been announced, but which team is the favorite?

One of the most exciting holiday basketball tournaments, the 2017 edition of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational will tip-off on November 20.

The 2016 Maui Invitational featured several of the top teams in college basketball. Eventual 2017 National Championship winners the North Carolina Tar Heels won it all, but it should be noted that the losers bracket was won by fellow 2017 Final Four participant the Oregon Ducks. This is an important tournament in terms of how to view teams moving forward, and I expect we see that in the 2017 version.

The 2017 Maui Invitational features the LSU Tigers, Michigan Wolverines, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, California Golden Bears, Wichita State Shockers, Marquette Golden Eagles, VCU Rams, and Chaminade Silverswords.

The opening round on November 20 consists of Marquette versus VCU at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2, Wichita State versus California at 5:00 p.m. on ESPN2, Notre Dame versus Chaminade at 9:00 p.m. on ESPNU, and Michigan versus LSU at 11:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

The winners move on to one side of the bracket, while the losers move to the other. With a quick glance at the bracket, I would think that Michigan and Wichita State make it to the championship game on November 22.

You can see the full bracket here.

Next: What does the preseason top 25 look like?

Notre Dame and Wichita State should cruise past their opening round opponents, but expect Michigan versus LSU and Marquette versus VCU to be two really good games.