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NCAA Basketball: 2021 Maui Invitational preview and predictions

By Cooper Watson

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)
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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Maui Invitational NCAA Basketball Chuck Harris Butler Bulldogs (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Maui Invitational NCAA Basketball Chuck Harris Butler Bulldogs (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin is one of the youngest teams in the country, with 10 players classified as freshmen. That said, Greg Gard does return one super-senior in Brad Davison (16.0 ppg), one of the most polarizing players in college basketball. Entering this season, Davison had more career points, rebounds, and assists than every other player on the roster combined.

The Badgers are 2-1 to start the season with blowout wins over St. Francis (NY) and Green Bay before losing to Providence by 5 at home in the Gavitt Games. The good news is that Wisconsin will have had a full week off from that loss to prepare for their Maui opener vs. Texas A&M.

Butler Bulldogs

Butler is 3-1 to start this season, but the Bulldogs have struggled with injuries. Senior G Aaron Thompson (10.4 ppg in 2020-21) has played only one game, although he will be active for the Maui Invitational. Senior F Bryce Nze (6.3 ppg) exited the team’s last game with a shoulder injury—his status is questionable for Monday’s matchup vs. Houston. Senior G Bo Hodges (8.2 ppg in 2020-21) and sophomore G Myles Tate (6.7 ppg in 2020-21) have both yet to play this season, although Tate could make his return in Las Vegas.

The Bulldogs are 3-1 after a 21 point loss to Michigan State this past Wednesday. Even in their wins, Butler has failed to impress beating an abysmal IUPUI team by only nine and Troy by only 11. Monday’s game against a defensive juggernaut in Houston will be a difficult matchup for a Butler team that has struggled to score early in the season.

Texas A&M Aggies

The Aggies lost eight players to the transfer portal this offseason, but they added six in return, led by Virginia Tech’s Tyrece Radford (11.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Duke’s Henry Coleman III (12.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg). They also return three of their top six scorers in Quentin Jackson (10.8 ppg), Andre Gordon (8.5 ppg), and Hassan Diarra (4.3 ppg). Wyoming transfer Marcus Williams (10.8 ppg), last year’s Mountain West Freshman of the Year, has also been excellent to start the season.

Buzz Williams’ squad is 4-0, although they’ve played only one team that currently ranks in the top 200 in KenPom—Abilene Christian—who the Aggies outlasted by one point in double overtime. Monday’s Maui Invitational opener against Wisconsin will be easily their most difficult test of this early season.

Chaminade Silverswords

Chaminade missed last year’s tournament in Asheville due to COVID-19 but will make the trip to Las Vegas this time around. The roster features two graduate students and two juniors, the only upperclassmen on a very young squad.

The last time neither Duke, UNC, or Kansas played in the Maui Invitational (2017), Chaminade pulled off an upset, beating Cal by 26 points. An opening matchup with #12 Oregon is a tough draw, but the second or third round could provide a legitimate opportunity for another upset bid. Give the people what they want, Silverswords!

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