NCAA Basketball: 2021 Maui Invitational preview and predictions

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 27: A Maui Invitational basketball on the floor during a third round Maui Invitation basketball game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 27, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

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NCAA Basketball Marcus Sasser Maui Invitational Houston Cougars (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Of all the multi-team events in NCAA Basketball, none quite compare to the excitement of the Maui Invitational. There’s just something about sitting down in the early afternoon and watching this tournament that gives it almost a March feeling. There are plenty of tournaments with incredible fields—none compete with Maui.

As I sit here and call it the Maui Invitational, the event will technically take place outside of Maui for the second straight year due to COVID-19 and subsequent restrictions and concerns. Last season it was Asheville, N.C., this season it will be Las Vegas.

The event kicks off on November 22 with four first-round matchups:

Game No. 1: Texas A&M vs Wisconsin – 11:00 a.m. PST, ESPN2
Game No. 2: Butler vs #15 Houston – 1:30 p.m., ESPN2
Game No. 3: #12 Oregon vs Chaminade – 6:00 p.m., ESPNU
Game No. 4: St. Mary’s vs Notre Dame – 8:30 p.m., ESPN2

The second round will take place on November 23 with the championship and all consolation games finishing on November 24.

This year’s field features two Top 25 teams, a strong mid-major, a potential sleeper in Notre Dame, several other high-major contenders, and of course, the hosts of the event (even in Las Vegas), the Chaminade Silverswords.

Here is a complete breakdown of the field and all 12 games.

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