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Happy Feast Week! As invitational tournaments tip off around the Nation, perhaps the greatest MTE in all of college basketball begins today in the Aloha State. Returning this year for it's 41st edition, the Maui Invitational serves as an early showcase of college basketball's greatest early Natty favorites and emerging dark horses.
In celebration of this historic tournament, three of our top House of College Hoops contributors took some time this weekend to fill out both sides of this year's bracket. Keep reading for their picks and predictions.
Michael DeRosa's Bracket
DeRosa's Breakdown:
The top half of this bracket is much worse than the bottom half, and much easier for me to predict. Memphis has the talent, but consistent program dysfunction and a clear coaching mismatch keep me from considering the upset. All of these teams, aside from UConn, I have losing in their lone game against the bottom half of the bracket. On the bottom half, Iowa State/Auburn is 50/50, with both being very capable of returning to the mainland with a Maui Title. But in the end, considering the tough road those teams will have to play in their run to the title, I think UConn will have more juice in the title game, and hold on in a stellar final matchup.
Trevor Everette's Bracket
Everette's Breakdown:
Although this slate is not considered "loaded" by many, all 8 of this year's participants enter the tournament inside the Kenpom Top 70. The UConn Huskies should have nothing to prove after how the last 2 seasons concluded. However, they have yet to play any real competition thus far. UConn's prowess as the "team to beat" entering the Maui Invitational is strictly based on respect but the real team to beat in this tournament is Auburn. The Johni Broome led Tigers already have a quality win this season over Houston and have arguably the best guard rotation in this tournament. They have to get through UConn, and I think they will and win this tournament.
Sam Basel's Bracket
Basel's Breakdown:
The fact that one of these 8 teams will leave Maui with 3 losses makes me sick. While I am quite confident in my top 4, I think every single team here has the opportunity for a huge statement victory. Right now, I have the Spartans finishing last. Their defense is elite, but their complete lack of perimeter shooting in this field leaves a lot to be desired. In my third place game, I think North Carolina picks apart Colorado defensively by dominating the turnover battle. In terms of players to watch, keep a close eye on Dayton's Enoch Cheeks. Through 4 games so far this season, the senior guard has led a talented Flyers backcourt in points (15), rebounds (8.2), and steals (3.2) per game. Look for the Flyers' guards to try and push the limits of their opponents' endurance.
Jake Zimmer's Bracket
Zimmer's Breakdown:
The Maui Invitational historically offers one of the most loaded fields of any MTE, and this one is no exception. Look for the usual suspects to take care of business early - UConn and North Carolina should have no problem advancing. I look at Auburn-Iowa State as having the potential to be one of the best matchups of the year so far - both in the top 10 throughout the year, and a complete contrast of styles. Ultimately, I think it's Auburn's high-volume offense that wins out here, in large part to their willingness to shoot the three relentlessly; and I think it's just enough to hand UConn its first loss of the year.
FILL OUT YOUR OWN BRACKET
Think your picks can go toe-to-toe with our House of College Hoops staff? Fill out your own bracket using the above blank template and send it to us on the social media platform of your choice! (Our handles on the bottom of the bracket).
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