NCAA Basketball: 2018 Maui Invitational preview and predictions
By Brian Rauf
Top half of the bracket
Auburn Tigers
Auburn had their breakout season last year under head coach Bruce Pearl, winning the SEC and making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 15 years. They returned most of their major pieces from that team, headlined by star guards Bryce Brown (12.5 ppg) and Jared Harper (16.0 ppg, 9.0 apg). The Tigers have also proven how potent they can be with an 88-66 win over Washington already under their belt.
Xavier Musketeers
Xavier is in a year of transition after losing head coach Chris Mack and star wings Trevon Bluiett and J.P. Macura, but they still have a high level of talent and are a good defensive team under new head man Travis Steele.
Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils have a lot going for them. They’re the top team in the country with perhaps the projected top three picks in the 2019 NBA Draft and, just for good measure, have never lost a game at the Maui Invitational. Their freshman class of R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish, and Tre Jones is the best four-man core in the country.
*WATCH Duke Earn Everything ON ESPN+
San Diego State Aztecs
The team most don’t know about in this year’s field, San Diego State made the NCAA Tournament a year ago and as a potential first-round NBA Draft pick in the versatile Jalen McDaniels. Traditionally one of the country’s better defensive teams, the Aztecs appear to have more offensive firepower than in years past thanks to McDaniels and sharpshooter Devin Watson.