2023 Maui Invitational Preview: Tops Teams in Hawaii

When it comes to early college basketball tournaments, there’s the Maui Invitational and there’s everybody else. Four of the top seven NCAAB teams in the Associated Press poll will be present, along with the likes of Gonzaga, UCLA and Syracuse. Chaminade will compete as the local team, but can be penciled into eighth place. There are two ways to bet the tournament. You can wager on the tournament winner or bet on individual games. The 2023 Maui Invitational preview will look at the tournament and Monday’s opening games.

Maui Invitational Winner

Kansas Jayhawks (+175): The Jayhawks are the current No. 1 team in the AP poll and No. 4 in Ken Pomeroy’s rankings. Kansas picked up a win over Kentucky last game in what was the first real test of the year for the Jayhawks. When you have Hunter Dickenson on your squad, you take advantage of him and Kansas has done just that. Dickenson is leading the Jayhawks with 22 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.

Tennessee Volunteers (+325): The Volunteers are the No. 2 choice to win the tournament. But part of that is due to their schedule. Tennessee opens with Syracuse, who is the lowest-rated team after Chaminade. So the Vols are expected to have an easier time reaching the semifinals than the other teams.

Purdue Boilermakers (+380): Purdue is No. 2 in the country in the AP poll and KenPom also has the Boilermakers. Zach Edey is doing his thing, leading Purdue in scoring and rebounding. But Purdue faces a tough Gonzaga in the first round and then the Tennessee/Syracuse winner in the next NCAA basketball game. After that, Kansas will likely be waiting in the wings. Purdue is good. But that schedule to the championship is just brutal.

Marquette Warriors (+450): Marquette faces UCLA in the opening round and if it gets past the Bruins, a second-round game with Kansas. That’s not going to be easy. But the Warriors have some NCAAB players who can play, including one of the top guard tandems in the county in Kam Jones and Tyler Kolek.

The Second Tier

Gonzaga Bulldogs (+800): It’s hard to remember the last time Gonzaga was listed in the bottom half of tournament odds. The Zags are a bit of an unknown this NCAAB season, but you know they’ll have good athletes. This tournament will give an indication where Gonzaga stands.

UCLA Bruins (+1800): Adem Bona has led the Bruins to a 3-0 start, but UCLA simply hasn’t played anybody – yet. That will change the first time the Bruins take the floor here. UCLA is a step below most of the other teams in the tournament and it’s reflected in the NCAAB lines here.

Syracuse Orangemen (+4000): Syracuse is the longest shot on the board, as odds weren’t offered on Chaminade. The Orangemen open with Tennessee and then will likely face the loser of Purdue and Gonzaga.

Chaminade Silverswords (No Odds): Chaminade has pulled off a couple of upsets here over the years. But it’s not happening here. Chaminade is just 1-2 playing Division II teams so far this season.

From a value perspective, the team that makes the most sense is Purdue at +380. The Boilermakers have a tough opening game with the Zags and it will only get harder. But Purdue also has Edey and he can take over any game. Whichever team wins the Maui Invitational will certainly have earned it.

The 2023 Maui Invitational preview begins its look at Monday’s games with the opening tournament contest between Tennessee and Syracuse. The Vols are favored by 13.5 and the total on the game is 145.5. Syracuse is 3-0 to the start the season, but hasn’t looked all that impressive beating the likes of Colgate and New Hampshire. The team is 0-3 against the spread. The Orangemen are going to have to play better defense here or this one will become a rout. When you’re allowing 45.2% shooting to the teams Syracuse has played, Tennessee is going to put up some points. Take the Volunteers for one of your NCAAB picks in this one.

Of all the college basketball games today odds are this is going to be the most anticipated. The Boilermakers are favored by 5 points and the total is 155.5, which might be a shade on the high side. Purdue isn’t the fastest-paced team around and even the Bulldogs have been a little more deliberate than normal. Although that likely has to do with the schedule, which has seen Gonzaga play Yale and Eastern Oregon. Both teams are putting up some impressive offensive numbers. But scoring won’t be as easy today. The under looks to be the way to go here.

There’s no line on this game for good reason. You have the No. 1 college basketball team in the country playing a Div. II team. Kansas can name the score here. But the Jayhawks will play reserves most of the game and try not to embarrass Chaminade too much if front of its fans.

The 2023 Maui Invitational preview wraps up the first day’s action with a quick look at an interesting game between Marquette and UCLA. The Warriors are favored by 6 and the total is 138.5. Shaka Smart has done a great job at Marquette and the Warriors like to push the ball. But UCLA is going to try and slow things down as much as possible. If the Bruins can get their tempo, they can make it interesting. The under is probably the best value play in this one.

For NCAA betting news, college basketball lines, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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