Indiana has drawn in-state-owned rival Notre Dame as its first round opponent in the Maui Invitational. That tourney kicks off on November 24th. The sensation of that game will face the toughie of Texas versus St. Josephs. The Hoosiers along with North Carolina and Oregon are among earlier winners in this years eight team field.

Notre Dame went 25-8 last season and is likely to return its two top leading in power forward Luke Harangody (20.4 ppg, 10.4 rpg) and item guard Kyle McAlarney (15.1 ppg, 3.5 apg). Harangody, a Hoosier inborn who high school at Andrean High in Merrillville, was named Big East Player of the Year last March.

Here is the official crowd delivery from the tournament :

MAUI, Hawaii, Aug. 5, 2008 The EA SPORTS Maui Invitational nowadays the official collection for the 2008 edition of the inhabitantss premier early-season school basketball tournament. Marking its milestone 25th year, the eight-team competition will revenue to Mauis ocean-front Lahaina Civic Center Nov.24-26.

Battling this year for the wanted Wayne Duke Championship Trophy, will be North Carolina, Notre Dame, Texas, Indiana, Oregon, Saint Josephs, Alabama and host Chaminade. Six of the seven Division I teams in the 2008 roster participated in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, by North Carolinas Final Four beginning and Texas run to the Elite Eight. The field also three former coast-to-coast champions North Carolina, Indiana and Oregon with 10 NCAA between them.

The ESPN networks will combine once all over again to bid live TV set reportage of all 12 tournament knockout. In totaling, ESPN360.com will provide live simulcasts of the competition televised on ESPN and ESPN2.

Throughout its saga the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational has become synonymous with the kickoff of the institution basketball season, said Tournament Chairman Dave Gavitt. We look forward to commemorating the tournaments 25th year with a further exciting field for Maui glory. Fans from across the nation can look forward to a memorable skill, on and off the high court.

First-round action tips off Thanksgiving week on Monday, Nov. 24, with Game One Atlantic 10 team and Maui newcomer, Saint Josephs, led by instructor Phil Martelli, against 2008 Elite Eight contestant and -time Maui team, Texas, under head teacher Rick Barnes. The conqueror of this game will take on the leader of Game Two, pitting in-national rivals for action as five-time countrywide defender and 2002 Maui champ, Indiana, by new teacher Tom Crean, will face head instructor Mike Brey and Notre Dame, a mounting BIG EAST power for a second manifestation at the Lahaina Civic Center. Four-time domestic campaigner and two-time Maui titleholder, North Carolina, will hit the hardwood in Game Three, as Hall of Famer Roy Williams pilots his highly Tar Heels in a contest with 2008 PacWest Conference winner and tournament host Chaminade, which pulled off an offended over Princeton in Maui last year. The triumph of that game will just off with the victor of Game Four, which pairs two teams construction Maui inauguration: head tutor Ernie Kent will call the when previous nationalized advocate and 2007 Pac-10 Conference titleholder, Oregon, against the Crimson Tide of Alabama, a Mark Gottfried-led team looking to make its mark in wonderland.

The semifinals will take flat Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Eastern time on ESPN, with the winners to the finals game Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 10 p.m. Eastern. Remaining game tickets including school specific Booster Tickets will go on sale to the universal public on Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 3 p.m. Eastern time (9 a.m. Hawaiian time) via the tournament Web site at www.mauiinvitational.com. Travel packages with game tickets and hotel accommodations are tranquil offered through Oahu Travel, the tournaments official transportable agency (800.826.3822). In addendum, tickets for the tournaments Tip-Off Banquet, a distinct evening with the 2008 head and set for Sunday, Nov. 23, and a spot the 5th Annual EA SPORTS Maui Golf Invitational on Thanksgiving Day are at a halt available. Visit the Web sites Tickets & Travel section for facts.

EA SPORTSTM, the worlds leading communicating amusement software company and developer of the top-selling NCAA March Madness videogame, enters its year as title underwriter of the Maui Invitational.

Other tournament sponsors include the Maui Visitors Bureau, County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation, Hawaii Tourism Authority, , GEICO and Gatorade. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Sheraton Maui Resort and Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, all sited in the superb Kaanapali Beach resort area, serve as host for the of fans and who year after year accompany to Maui. KemperSports has the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational since 1990.

Posted on August 7th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: College basketball news