NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early ranking of 2022 Maui Invitational field

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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Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Arkansas Razorbacks

The hype surrounding the Arkansas Razorbacks is insane this season. It’s also completely valid.

Eric Musselman’s program has the highest expectations in school history, perhaps. He has brought together an intriguing mix of transfers and prized freshmen and the way he melds them together will make or break Arkansas’ Final Four aspirations.

There’s a decent chance the starting lineup is made up by a majority of freshmen, all of whom were top recruits. Nick Smith and Jordan Walsh are near locks for the starting lineup and Anthony Black should be there too.

Transfers could be competing for the other spots. Trevon Brazile didn’t put up crazy numbers at Missouri last year, but ended the season strong and could carry that momentum to his new program. Former Wichita State star Ricky Council IV averaged 12 points per game last season, while Makhel Mitchell averaged 10.7 points per game at Rhode Island.

Musselman doesn’t have a lot of talent coming back from last year’s upstart squad, which could hinder Arkansas in the early going. But their high-level of potential should prove to be a key quickly.

Arkansas will open the Maui Invitational with a winnable game against Louisville, who they haven’t played in 13 years. The Cardinals have one more win in their series history, but the Razorbacks should be able to even that up in their fourth Maui appearance.

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