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NCAA Basketball: 2019 Maui Invitational preview and predictions

By Jason Burgess

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)
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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RENO, NV – NOVEMBER 06: TJ Haws #30 of the Brigham Young Cougars has a talk with a referee during the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Brigham Young Cougars at Lawlor Events Center on November 6, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
RENO, NV – NOVEMBER 06: TJ Haws #30 of the Brigham Young Cougars has a talk with a referee during the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Brigham Young Cougars at Lawlor Events Center on November 6, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

Day 1 predictions

Georgia vs Dayton

In the tournament’s opening contest, Georgia takes on Dayton. This should be a good game between two teams with aspirations of getting into the NCAA Tournament. It will also be a showcase for the Bulldogs’ Edwards and Toppin from Dayton. Neither team has suffered a defeat this season and both teams can really score the ball, as they have combined to average 90.8 points per game this season and have eight players averaging in double figures.

Both teams are shooting a strong 52% from the field so the difference in this one could come down to who controls the defensive glass, the Bulldogs have a slight edge there, 116 to 72 on the year and I think that will be enough for Georgia to win the game.

Prediction: Georgia

Michigan State vs Virginia Tech

The second game of the day will see one of the favorites, Michigan State taking on Virginia Tech. Izzo always likes to challenge his teams and after losing to Kentucky at the Champions Classic, they’ve beaten Seton Hall and now find themselves in Maui before a date with Duke when this is over. As for the game itself, Young’s Hokies have been playing well with Nolley leading them in nearly every way, but the Spartans were preseason No. 1 for a reason, despite the loss, they are a deep team with eight guys averaging at least five points or more per game and have the best point guard in the country in Cassius Winston. The Spartans will move on, setting up a matchup with the young Georgia Bulldogs.

Prediction: Michigan State

Kansas vs Chaminade

In the third game, I don’t think Kansas will have much trouble with the host Silverswords. The Jayhawks hold the advantage at every position in talent and size, especially in the middle where Azubuike David McCormack has at least three inches and at least 40lbs. on any Chaminade rotational player.

Prediction: Kansas

BYU vs UCLA

The final game on day one pits the BYU Cougars against the UCLA Bruins. The Cougars are 3-2 and have won three of four entering this game. They are led by their guard trio of Toolson, Haws, and Barcello who have combined to average 39.2 points, 11 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 3.8 steals on the year and have been scorching the nets from downtown, shooting the three at 36.5%. Cronin’s Bruins are 4-1 and have been led by a trio if their own in Smith, Ali, and Hill who not only averaged 41 points per game but have grabbed 18.2 of the team’s 38.2 rebounds per game.

This game will come down to who defends the three-point shot better, as both teams shoot it well, but so far on the year BYU has defended it much better, allowing opponents to shoot just 25.6% while UCLA’s foes shoot 37.4%, and if UCLA can’t defend the Cougars three guards, they won’t win the game. BYU moves on to face Kansas.

Prediction: BYU

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