Full bracket unveiled for 2022 Maui Invitational
The field and matchups are set for the 2022 Maui Invitational. Of course, this November’s installment marks the return to the actual Hawaiian island. Since COVID displaced the last two versions of the event, which were held in Asheville, NC and Las Vegas. Alas, the event returns to its rightful home.
As of August 1, the field and bracket for the Maui Invitational is set, which you can see right here:
There you have it. Creighton and Texas Tech, Louisville and Arkansas, Ohio State and San Diego State, and Cincinnati and Arizona are the matchups to open the tournament. Followed by the respective winners and losers facing one another.
The games will take place Monday November 21 through Wednesday November 23. With each team playing three games regardless of result. A loaded field with plenty of exciting hoops on the way.
Background on teams involved
In a surprising turn of events, usual host Chaminade is not in the field. So the bracket is loaded head to toe in very solid division one programs. Mostly very high-level ones.
Arkansas is likely the top-ranked squad in the event, boasting a top recruiting class of both freshmen and transfers and will be in the hunt for their third straight Elite Eight come NCAA Tourney time. They face Louisville, who certainly has the worst roster of the field at this point in the offseason. The Cards feature just one true scholarship guard at the moment and all signs point to them standing pat in that regard.
Meanwhile Creighton and Texas Tech were both top-25 defenses a year ago with the Red Raiders claiming the top spot overall. But Creighton returned several key pieces and added top transfer Baylor Scheierman from South Dakota State. Hopes are high in Omaha.
Arizona lost most of its 2022 production and plays a Cincinnati team that could finally get back on the right track after a pair of rough seasons for the program.
Lastly, another top-five defensive squad from last season joins the event, with San Diego State returning its leading scorer and several anchors of that excellent defensive unit. They face an Ohio State team that’s reloading after losing its top two scorers, including All-American EJ Liddell.