Maui Invitational Tourney Celebrating 30 Years

By Maui Now Staff

The championship round of the 30th annual EA Sports Maui Invitational will take place Nov. 25, 26 and 27 at the intimate 2,400-seat Lahaina Civic Center.

Syracuse, Gonzaga, Baylor, Arkansas, Minnesota, California, Dayton and host Chaminade arrive on Maui a perfect 30-0 on the season.

The field features three teams ranked in the current USA Today Coaches poll, including No. 7 Syracuse, No. 12 Gonzaga and No. 21 Baylor. The collective 30-0 record of participating teams marks the first time that each school has entered the tournament undefeated, having played at least one game.

The Chaminade mascot leads the cheers during a timeout at the 2012 Maui Invitational Tournament. File photo by Rodney S. Yap.

“The record of the eight participating schools speaks volumes about the quality of basketball that will be played at the Lahaina CivicCenter next week,” said tournament chairman Dave Odom. “The beautiful island of Maui will once again host some of the top college basketball teams, players and coaches as they compete in the 30th annual EA Sports Maui Invitational.”

The eight teams traveling to Maui have combined for 132 NCAA Tournament appearances, 79 conference championships, 18 Final Fours and three national championships. Four of this year’s participants — Syracuse, Gonzaga, California and Minnesota — won NCAA Tournament games in 2013 and Syracuse earned its fifth Final Four appearance by winning the East Regional. Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim has 924 career wins, second most in Division I history.

“This event is always one of the best early-season college basketball tournaments in the country and this year will be no different. We are certainly looking forward to competing against these top teams,” said Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND SCHEDULE

The EA Sports Maui Invitational towel boys take a break in the action during a game last year at the Lahaina Civic Center. File photo by Rodney S. Yap.

Syracuse (1990, 1998), Dayton (2003) and Gonzaga (2009) have all taken home the coveted Wayne Duke Championship Trophy. Arkansas makes its third tournament appearance and first since 2005. A third-place finish in 1996 was California’s lone trip to the island of Maui. Baylor and Minnesota each return to the tournament for the first time in more than 20 years. Host Chaminade’s seven wins in the championship round are the most of any participant.

The on-site tournament box office at the Lahaina CivicCenter opened today, Nov. 22 at 9 a.m. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the weekend leading up to the tournament and on game days from 8 a.m. to the end of the last game. Tickets may also be purchased by phone at 808-667-DUNK (3865).

For more information about the tournament, please visit www.mauiinvitational.com. You can also follow live updates and interact with the tournament on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @EASPORTSMauiInv and with the Tournament’s official hashtag, #mauihoops.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa will be among the guest speakers for new outdoor DreamCourt blessing on Saturday. File photo by Rodney S. Yap.

Hawaiian blessing ceremony planned Saturday for new outdoor DreamCourt

The DreamCourt, a new outdoor basketball court at the Lahaina Civic Center, which was donated to the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation on behalf of the Nancy Lieberman Foundation and the WorldVentures Foundation, will be officially blessed Saturday in a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony.

The 1:30 p.m. event will feature remarks from representatives of KemperLesnik, Chaminade University and the County of Maui, including Mayor Alan Arakawa.

Following the event, from 2 to 3 p.m., the adidas Hoops Clinic presented by Hawaiian Airlines for kids will take place on the DreamCourt. The clinic will feature Chaminade men’s basketball players and coaches teaching 100 clinic participants from the Boys & Girls Club of Maui about the fundamentals of basketball.