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

1. Creighton Bluejays

Speaking of programs that are dealing with unprecedented hype, welcome to the club, Creighton. Between scoring one of the sport’s biggest transfers and the return of some budding stars, this could be a huge year for the Bluejays.

For Creighton, the stardom stars up front. Ryan Kalkbrenner is poised to be one of the best centers in all of college basketball, so long as he’s fully recovered from the knee injury he suffered during the NCAA Tournament.

Arthur Kaluma looked like a star in the making during the NCAA Tournament, dropping 24 points and 12 rebounds in a valiant effort to knock out the eventual national champions during the second round. He can easily carry that momentum into the Big East this season.

And then there’s Baylor Scheierman, one of the biggest mid-major stars in the country last year. He averaged 16.2 points per game but largely flew under the radar while playing for South Dakota State. On a bigger stage, he could be a sensation.

This could be a year for Creighton to shatter all records in program history, especially as Villanova appears to be weakened at the top of the Big East. The Bluejays have never made the Final Four, but there’s a real chance this year.

Creighton starts the Maui Invitational against Texas Tech, which should provide a wonderful contrast of playing styles. If the Bluejays win, they’ll likely face Arkansas in the middle of the tournament, which would be the game of the tournament.

Three months out, Creighton looks like the favorite for the Maui Invitational.