James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 Maui Invitational.
The 2023 Maui Invitational will have a different feel this year. College basketball’s premier early season tournament has relocated to the island of O’ahu on the campus of University of Hawaii with its long-time home, the Lahaina Civic Center, being used to help recovery efforts from the devastating wildfires that tore through Maui earlier this year.
The Lahaina Civic Center is fortunately still standing, but the destruction of the surrounding area will be a major theme with the tournament this year.
One thing that hasn’t changed about the Maui Invitational is the quality of the competition. The field is once again stacked with potential national title contenders as eight teams enter the tournament looking to boost their end-of-season resume and create some momentum before conference play.
The Kansas Jayhawks, UCLA Bruins, Marquette Golden Eagles, Tennessee Volunteers, Gonzaga Bulldogs, Purdue Boilermakers, and Syracuse Orange all come to the Maui Invitational with high hopes for this season. The Chaminade Silverswords of DII round out the field, as they always do.
We’ll keep keeping track of every result for the 2023 Maui Invitational at this point. Here’s everything you need to know about the tournament.
Maui Invitational bracket for 2023
Maui Invitational scores, schedule, TV times, and matchups for 2023
All start times are Eastern.
Monday, Nov. 20
Game 1: Syracuse vs. Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Game 2: Gonzaga vs. Purdue, 5 p.m., ESPN2
Game 3: Kansas vs. Chaminade, 9 p.m., ESPNU
Game 4: Marquette vs. UCLA, 11:30 p.m., ESPN2
Tuesday, Nov. 21
Game 5: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2
Game 6: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 5 p.m., ESPN2
Game 7: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 8 p.m., ESPN
Game 8: Winner 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
Wednesday, Nov. 22
Game 9: Third place game, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2
Game 10: Championship game, 5 p.m., ESPN
Game 11: Seventh place game, 9:30 p.m., ESPNU
Game 12: Fifth place game, 12 a.m. Thursday, ESPN2
Maui Invitational 2023 top players and team storylines
The recovery efforts from the wildfire in Maui will be the biggest theme throughout the tournament. Fans can donate to help or bid on items for charity at Hoops For ‘Ohana. Proceeds will benefit the Maui Strong Fund.
This Maui Invitational turns in a strong field every year, but this one feels particularly loaded. Let’s go through the top teams and players.
Purdue Boilermakers: Purdue is led by reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey, the 7’3 center with soft scoring touch around the rim. The Boilermakers are out for vengeance this season after losing to No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round of the NCAA tournament last year. Only one other No. 1 seed had ever lost to a 16-seed, when UMBC upset Virginia in 2018, and Virginia responded by winning the national championship the next season. Purdue hopes to accomplish the same.
Kansas Jayhawks: Kansas is loaded with veteran talent once again. The Jayhawks return three key starters from last year’s team, and add the biggest (both literally and figuratively) transfer in the country in Hunter Dickinson via Michigan. Here’s what I learned about the Jayhawks after having a front row seat to watch Dickinson and Co. dominate Kentucky at the Champions Classic.
UCLA Bruins: This is a new-look UCLA team for the most part, but their talent is impressive. Returning center Adem Bona has been a monster to start his sophomore season as an athletic big man who plays with energy around the rim at both ends of the floor. Freshman center Aday Mara is a fascinating watch as a 7’3 big man with advanced passing feel and easy scoring touch around the basket. Sophomore Dylan Andrews and freshman Sebastian Mack will need to develop quickly to give UCLA a chance in this tournament.
Marquette Golden Eagles: Marquette is just a machine right now. Coming off an awesome season that ended too early in the NCAA tournament a year ago, Shaka Smart’s team returns Tyler Kolek, Oso ighodaro, Kam Jones, and more. This is a real contender to win the national title this season.
Tennessee Vols: We know Tennessee can defend as well as any team in America under Rick Barnes. This year’s team adds a key shooter in Northern Colorado transfer Dalton Knecht which could help finally open up the halfcourt offense. With tons of size and experience returning, Tennessee continues to be a nightmare matchup for anyone they face.
