NCAA Basketball: Preview and predictions for 2024 Maui Invitational
By Joey Loose
Expectations
One of the beautiful things about this sport is how early expectations can be quickly thrown out the window. None of these teams have specifically disappointed this season, but one of them is going to lose three games next week. Another is going to shoot up the national rankings with three victories, potentially with multiple of those coming against ranked opposition.
There’s talent galore in this field, with representation from the best that college basketball can offer this season. You have excited teams on the rise like Auburn who have already shown their moxie this season. Then there’s UConn and Iowa State, two teams we know are extremely talented but haven’t gotten that chance to show it off, while North Carolina hopes for a major breakthrough in the Aloha State.
We can’t stop there, as the other teams in this field have just as much chance to upset these ranked foes. Michigan State as a program has been a juggernaut and they could certainly use this event as a way to rebuild momentum for this season. Similarly, Memphis and Dayton are mid-major programs who could use a solid Maui performance to build NCAA Tournament resumes.
It honestly would not be shocking if seven or eight members of this field find themselves in the Big Dance less than four months from now. Again, we’re leaning heavily on expectations and strength in these rosters. A lot can change in the coming weeks, especially with injuries and inconsistency always plaguing teams, but there’s a lot of potential here for great basketball in Maui.