2011 BRACKET ANNOUNCED

 

 

MAUI, Hawaii, Aug. 4, 2011 – The EA SPORTS Maui Invitational® Hosted by Chaminade University today announced the bracket for the 28th edition of Basketball In Paradise®. The bracket includes a new format, which reflects the Tournament’s first expansion since 1986.

 

“We are excited to kickoff the expansion with such stellar matchups,” Tournament Chairman David Odom said. “Expanding the Tournament provides more student-athletes, schools and conferences the chance to show their best at the premier early-season college basketball tournament.”

 

The bracket format includes the traditional eight-team, three-day event played at Maui’s oceanfront Lahaina Civic Center during Thanksgiving week, which will now be known as the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational “Championship Round,” and the eight participating teams playing in the Championship Round are called the “Island Teams”. 

 

With expansion comes four additional Division I teams known as the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational “Mainland Teams.” Each of the eight Island Teams (excluding Chaminade) will play one game against a Mainland Team – seven games in total – before traveling to Maui for the Championship Round. The Mainland Teams will then play each other in the “Regional Games” – a four-game event.

 

“We are looking forward to hosting the inaugural Regional Games of the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational,” said Middle Tennessee State Athletic Director Chris Massaro. “We are also very excited to be one of the Mainland Teams challenging the Island Teams this year. It's an honor to be included with some of the most respected programs from around the country.”

 

Refer to the attached bracket for Tournament matchups, game dates and times. Below find information which further outlines the new bracket format and general Tournament information.

 

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

 

The eight Island Teams that will play in the Opening Games and Championship Round:

Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, Memphis, Michigan, Tennessee, UCLA and host Chaminade.

 

The four Mainland Teams that will play in the Opening Games and Regional Games:

Belmont, Middle Tennessee State, Towson and UNCG.

 

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

 

Opening Games

Teams: Island and Mainland Teams

Dates: Nov. 11, 14-15, 2011

Locations: Island Teams’ home arenas

Details: Prior to traveling to Maui for the Championship Round, each Island Team (excluding Chaminade) will host one home game against one Mainland Team. There will be seven Opening Games 

 

Regional Games

Teams: Mainland Teams

Dates: Nov. 19-20, 2011

Location: Murphy Center (at MTSU)

Details: After the Opening Games, the four Mainland Teams will play in a two-day, four-game event. The location of the Regional Games will change annually.

 

Championship Round

Teams: Island Teams

Dates: Nov. 21-23, 2011

Location: Lahaina Civic Center, Maui, HI

Details: After the Opening Games and Regional Games, the Championship Round takes place. Per usual, it will take place during the three days prior to Thanksgiving.

 

TOURNAMENT BROADCAST ON ESPN

The ESPN networks will combine once again to offer live television coverage of all 12 Championship Round games. For the third straight year, every game will be produced in high definition on ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD and ESPNU HD, with the ESPN and ESPN2 games also streaming live on ESPN3.com.

 

TOURNAMENT FACTS 

In all, 89 schools representing 21 conferences and 39 states have competed in the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, with Maui participants having won an astounding 62 of 73 NCAA championships and 58 of 73 national runner-up spots while comprising 239 of 292 Final Four teams. 

 

TICKET INFORMATION

Remaining tickets for the Championship Round, including school specific booster tickets, will be on sale to the general public beginning on Wednesday, August 24 at 3 p.m. EDT (9 a.m. HST) via mauiinvitational.com.  (No phone orders, web site only.)  Travel packages that include game tickets and hotel accommodations are currently available through Oahu Travel, the tournament’s official travel agency (800.826.3822).

 

For tickets for the Regional Games, please visit goblueraiders.com or call 1.888.YES.MTSU.

 

About EA SPORTS 

EA SPORTS™ is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world and 2011 marks its eleventh year as title sponsor of the Maui Invitational. With top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital experiences, EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA JAM, NCAA® Football, Fight Night boxing, EA SPORTS MMA, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, and EA SPORTS Active.

 

About Tournament Sponsors

Other tournament sponsors include the Maui Visitors Bureau, County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and adidas. The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and Westin Maui Resort & Spa, all located in the beautiful Ka’anapali Beach Resort area, serve as host hotels. KemperLesnik has operated the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational since 1990.

 

About KemperLesnik

KemperLesnik is a sports marketing, events and public relations agency. Ranked by Crain's Chicago Business among Chicago's top PR agencies, KemperLesnik produces integrated communications programs and manages major national events, including the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, the McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Games, the POWERADE Jam Fest and activation for KitchenAid and its PGA of America partnership. For more information, visit www.kemperlesnik.com.

 

# # #

 

Alex Prosperi

Media Relations Manger 

847.480.4886 office

Alex.prosperi@kemperlesnik.com

 

Palmer Moody

Media Relations Director

847.480.2478 office

palmer.moody@kemperlesnik.com