With Thanksgiving coming this Thursday, time to change things up a bit and look at the always fun to watch EA Sports Maui Invitational, which is broadcasted on various ESPN stations.
2008-11-24
With Thanksgiving coming this Thursday, time to change things up a bit and look at the always fun to watch EA Sports Maui Invitational, which is broadcasted on various ESPN stations. The setting of course is fantastic and each year some of the elite programs in the country are invited. The organizers ran into some luck this season, with top-ranked North Carolina, No.7 Texas and No.8 Notre Dame among the participants, along with well-known programs like Indiana, Alabama, Oregon and St. Joseph’s. Here is a look at the opening round games.
Texas and St. Joe’s will start the festivities at 3 Eastern on ESPN 2. The Longhorns have been perimeter oriented the last few seasons, but this season they have an imposing frontline with Conner Acthley, Damion James and a much improved Dexter Pittman. A.J. Abrams is still around to create havoc and drop three-point shots from anywhere. Texas is 6-2 ATS off a win by 20 or more points and Sportsbook.com has them as 10-point favorite.
St. Joe’s lost to Holy Cross 73-69, losing the battle on the boards 44-33, not a good sign facing Texas. 6-9 senior Ahmad Nivins is solid player can’t do it alone, needing more help in the paint. Coach Phil Martelli is also concerned about outside shooting and he should be. Granted the Hawks are 9-2 ATS off a loss, yet hard to see them staying within 10 points of Texas, give the points.
About 30 minutes later, in-state rivals Notre Dame and Indiana will collide. These teams have not met since 2004 when the Irish ended eight game losing streak. The Irish have almost everybody back from last season, including reigning Big East player of the year Luke Harangody and are ranked in the Top 10 to start the season for the first time in 28 years. The long term prospects will be good for new Indiana coach Tom Crean, known for his hands-on approach. Unfortunately, off the Kelvin Sampson scandal, only nine scholarship players are on the roster. The Irish are favored by 13.5 points and unless the Hoosiers shoot lights out, Irish eyes will be smiling waiting to take on Texas.
No. 1 North Carolina and host Chaminade will kickoff the second half of the day. No line will be available with the Silverswords a D-2 team; nonetheless this will be ugly, since Chaminade lost all five starters and the top six scorers from last season’s team. Tyler Hansbrough is back for the Tar Heels and might see somewhat restricted duty, still recovering from stress reaction in his right shin. Roy’s boys will meet the winner of the next game on Tuesday.
The next contest involves Alabama and Oregon, both who have already lost a game that was not expected. The Crimson Tide lost to Mercer 72-69, shooting 36.4 percent, and were out-boarded 18. They came back to beat Florida A&M 89-48, showing actual effort and returning Ronald Steel looked much better, after missing what for the most part has been two seasons. Bama has not covered last six games after scoring 85 or more points.
In Eugene, they are calling Oregon’s basketball team the “Baby Ducks”, since beyond Tajuan Porter, not much but a talented freshmen class that goes five deep. Oregon lost to Oakland U. 82-79, giving proof this could be up and down year. This should be a good match-up, with Alabama’s experience, especially in the backcourt the reason they cover the 3.5-points.
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