NCAA Basketball: 2019 Maui Invitational preview and predictions

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 22: Fans pack the Lahaina Civic Center to watch the Maui Invitational NCAA college basketball game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 22, 2016 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Isaiah Wilkins #1 of the Virginia Tech Hokies reacts after being defeated by the Duke Blue Devils in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Kansas and Michigan State are the favorites, but others have a lot at stake

At this point Kansas and Michigan State have to be considered the favorites in Maui, both clubs are oozing talent and both have been perfect since losing their respective games in the Champions Classic. The Spartans have played the tougher of the schedules since opening night, which includes a win over Myles Powell and No. 12 Seton Hall. Both teams have veteran leadership and national championship aspirations, and a title in Maui could be an indicator of things to come.

I’m not sure there is a sleeper team I would pick to take home the title, but in terms of a team that could go further than some expect, I’ll take Virginia Tech here. Mike Young has his young Hokies playing well and redshirt freshman Landers Nolley II has blossomed early, putting up averages of 20, 4.8, and 2.2. The other Hokie in double figures is freshman guard Nahiem Alleyne, the 6-3 native of Georgia has averaged 12.6 points this season. Despite roster turnover due to the coaching change, Young has his team playing well early on and Nolley II has emerged as a go-to-guy.

If there is a team with a lot to gain, other than the host, Silverswords who have a ton to gain by having that level of competition come to Maui every year, would probably be the UCLA Bruins who are trying to bounce back with new coach Mick Cronin and his more physical style of play. An opening-round game with a shorthanded BYU team and a potential matchup with Kansas would loom, giving the Bruins’ fans believe that Cronin can turn things around in LA.

The team with the most to lose in Maui is probably Crean’s Bulldogs who hope to be in the at-large discussion come March but a disappointing effort in Hawaii, even with star freshman Anthony Edwards could put them in a resume hole in comparison to other bubble teams. Edwards has been as advertised for the Bulldogs, with a stat line of 19, six, and four. But he hasn’t been alone, fellow freshman Sahvir Wheeler who has averaged 10 points and 5.8 assists so far this season.

A good showing for Crean’s team would open some eyes around the sport, but a disappointing one would leave them looking for a season-defining win before league play with a game against Memphis as their only other big opportunity.

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