What is the Maui Invitational
- The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season men’s college basketball tournament in the U.S. It brings together top NCAA Division I teams (plus the host) for a short, high-stakes competition. Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
- The games are traditionally held at the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui, Hawaii. The venue is fairly small by major-arena standards — about 2,400 seats — which gives the tournament a more intimate, intense atmosphere. Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
- For 2025 the event is sponsored by Southwest Airlines, so it’s officially called the “Southwest Maui Invitational.” Wikipedia+1
2025 Edition — Dates & Format
- The 2025 tournament runs November 24–26, 2025 — over the typical Thanksgiving-week window for the event. featureweekly.com+2sportsbrackets.net+2
- It follows the traditional 8-team bracket format: first-round games Monday, then semifinals/consolations Tuesday, and placement/championship games Wednesday. sportsbrackets.net+2Southwest Maui Invitational+2
- All games will be broadcast on major sports channels / streaming: ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU. Southwest Maui Invitational+2Yahoo Sports+2
2025 Teams & Matchups
Here are the eight teams taking part in 2025: Wikipedia+2Yahoo Sports+2
| Team | Notes |
|---|---|
| Arizona State Sun Devils | One of the returnees; team with past tournament history Wikipedia+1 |
| Boise State Broncos | Making their first-ever appearance at the Maui Invitational in 2025 Wikipedia+1 |
| Chaminade Silverswords | The host program, a tradition staple — often included to keep the local / underdog spirit alive Wikipedia+1 |
| NC State Wolfpack | Also debuting in the 2025 field Wikipedia+1 |
| Seton Hall Pirates | Returning after a long absence (last appeared 2001) Southwest Maui Invitational+1 |
| Texas Longhorns | The 2020 champion — a familiar major-conference name returning to Maui Wikipedia+1 |
| USC Trojans | Returning for their third appearance overall Southwest Maui Invitational+1 |
| Washington State Cougars | Making their first appearance in the tournament in 2025 Wikipedia+1 |
Day-1 (Opening Round) Matchups — November 24, 2025 (times Eastern) Yahoo Sports+2Southwest Maui Invitational+2
- Seton Hall vs NC State — 2:30 p.m. Yahoo Sports+1
- USC vs Boise State — 5:00 p.m. Yahoo Sports+1
- Washington State vs Chaminade — 9:00 p.m. Yahoo Sports+1
- Arizona State vs Texas — 11:30 p.m. Yahoo Sports+1
Subsequent games (semis, consolation, placement) will follow on November 25–26. sportsbrackets.net+1
What Makes the Tournament Special
- The Maui Invitational has a legacy dating back to 1984, and is widely considered one of the premier in-season college basketball tournaments. Wikipedia+1
- It’s known not just for high-level competition, but for the unique setting: a small island gym on Maui, tropical locale, and a vibe that blends serious college hoops with relaxed Hawaiian atmosphere. Wikipedia+2islandsevents.com+2
- For many teams, performing well here can signal a strong start to their season — it’s also a chance for newer or less-heralded programs to make noise against traditionally powerful schools.
What to Watch / Why It Matters
- Newcomers like Boise State, NC State, and Washington State making first appearance — interesting underdog / debutant stories.
- Matchups between big-name programs (Texas, Arizona State, USC) and smaller or less frequent participants — potential for upsets.
- The island setting and smaller venue sometimes create an unpredictable, intense atmosphere — could favor teams that handle pressure and fast pace.
- Because games are televised on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU, it’s accessible globally — good early-season exposure for players and teams.
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