North Carolina has only played three games this season in what appears to be a slow start to the year. However, they are preparing for what could be three games in three days against two possible top-five teams in the country. This prestigious tournament could propel UNC higher in the rankings if they come away with a championship.
So far this season, North Carolina won a victory against Elon, American dominatedand set up a tale of two halves against top-ranked Kansas. The ups and downs of North Carolina basketball have already been evident this season.
How will the Tar Heels compare to other talent in the Maui Invitational Tournament? Do they have what it takes to win it all? Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming tournament.
What, when, where?
What: Eight men’s college basketball teams in single-elimination tournament
When: From November 25 to 27
Or: Lahaina Civic Center near the beaches of Maui, Hawai’i
Sponsor: Novavax
WHO?
No. 4 in the ranking Auburn Tigers (4-0)
Colorado Buffaloes (4-0)
Dayton Flyers (5-0)
Iowa State, ranked No. 5 Cyclones (3-0)
Memphis Tigers (3-0)
Michigan State Spartans (4-1)
North Carolina Tar Heels, 18th (2-1)
No. 2 UConn Huskies (4-0)
History
2023 Champion – Purdue (vs. Marquette, 78-75)
2022 champion – Arizona (vs. Creighton, 81-79)
2021 Champion – Wisconsin (vs. Sain Mary’s, 61-55)
2020 champion – Texas (vs. North Carolina, 69-67)
2019 champion – Kansas (vs. Dayton, 90-84)
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Prediction
Based on the first-round matchups, it’s easy to see No. 2 UConn and No. 10 North Carolina advancing. The other two, one between unseeded teams and one between teams ranked in the top five, can be a draw. I think Auburn comes in ahead of Iowa State having already been tested against Houston to get to where they are. I think Michigan State finds a way to beat Colorado.
That would leave your semifinal matchups between No. 2 UConn vs. Michigan State and No. 10 North Carolina vs. No. 4 Auburn. After falling short against top-ranked Kansas, I think North Carolina will get the job done against Auburn, proving they belong. However, in a championship game against Dan Hurley and UConn, I think UNC fails, just like it did in 2020.
This article was originally published on Tar Heels Wire: Everything you need to know about the 2024 Maui Invitational
