2016 Maui Jim Maui Invitational Team Info

Maui Jim Maui Invitational Coaches Teleconference Audio

MAUI, HAWAII (July 19, 2016) – The 2016 Maui Jim Maui Invitational Championship Round bracket, featuring four preseason Top-25 teams and two No. 1 seeds from the 2016 NCAA Tournament, was announced today. The 33rd edition of the nation's premier early-season college basketball tournament will be held Nov. 21-23 at the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui, Hawaii.
 
Georgetown, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Tennessee, UConn and Wisconsin will join host Chaminade in the Championship Round. Both sides of the bracket are balanced with two Top-25 teams according to ESPN rankings. No. 6 North Carolina and No. 20 UConn appear in the bottom half of the bracket, and No. 9 Wisconsin and No. 10 Oregon appear in the top half.
 
The bracket is heavy with national title contenders.  Both North Carolina and Oregon were No. 1 seeds in the 2016 NCAA Tournament. The two programs, along with Wisconsin, earned berths to the Sweet 16. Oregon advanced to the Elite Eight, while North Carolina finished as the national runner-up last season. Each team returns key contributors this year.
 
All 12 Championship Round games of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational will be televised on ESPN networks.
 

 
Since 1999, this year's teams have combined for six national championships and 15 trips to the Final Four. In all, the field has combined to win 14 national titles, make 40 trips to the Final Four and earn 194 NCAA Tournament berths. Four teams, UConn (2010-11), North Carolina (2004-05, 2008-09) and Michigan (1988-89) began their seasons as Maui Jim Maui Invitational champions before culminating their season with an NCAA title.
 
The 2016 Maui Jim Maui Invitational will mark the seventh Tournament appearance for North Carolina, the most for any program, and sixth appearance for Coach Roy Williams, tied for the most of any head coach in Tournament history. Tennessee's Rick Barnes, who has won more than 600 games in his 22-year career, will become the first coach to lead three different programs in Maui (Providence, 2000; Texas, 2004, 2008 and 2012). Four coaches, including Oklahoma State's Brad Underwood, Oregon's Dana Altman, UConn's Kevin Ollie and Wisconsin's Greg Gard, will make their first head coaching appearances in Maui.
 
"With so many high-profile teams, compelling storylines and talented coaches and players, these three days at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational will be exciting to watch," Tournament Chairman Dave Odom said. "This Tournament regularly prepares teams for the rigors of the coming year, and success in Maui can often set the tone for a memorable season ahead."
 
Travel Packages for the 2016 Maui Jim Maui Invitational are now on sale at www.mauiinvitational.com/travel and by contacting the Tournament Travel Department at 800-856-0024 or mauiinvitational@wyndhamjade.com.

The complete Opening and Regional Games schedule will be announced at a later date.
 
Maui Jim Activation
 
Maui Jim is launching a sweepstakes in which one lucky fan will win a trip for two to this year's Maui Jim Maui Invitational. The winner will receive round trip coach airfare, tournament tickets, hotel accommodations for six nights, two pairs of Maui Jim sunglasses and much more. The sweepstakes, which has an approximate retail value of $10,000, is scheduled to launch on August 1. 
 
About the Maui Jim Maui Invitational
In December 1982, then No. 1 ranked Virginia, led by National College Player of the Year Ralph Sampson, played little-known NAIA Chaminade University in Honolulu while on the way back from a trip to Tokyo. The Silverswords stunned Virginia 77-72 in one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history. Two years later, in 1984, Chaminade University hosted the first Maui Invitational and it has proven to be the premier early-season college basketball tournament for 32 years running. Each year, the Maui Jim Maui Invitational attracts the top programs, best-known coaches and most outstanding players to compete in an exciting atmosphere at the Lahaina Civic Center near the beautiful beaches of Maui.
 
About Maui Jim Sunglasses
Maui Jim sunglasses were born on the beaches of Maui and designed to protect eyes from the harsh rays of the island sun. Today, Maui Jim is recognized for unparalleled "Aloha Spirit" and customer service as well as patented PolarizedPlus2® lens technology, which blocks 100% of UV rays and eliminates glare while enhancing color, definition and depth perception.  Maui Jim sunglasses have earned the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation as an effective UV filter for the eyes and surrounding skin.  For more information, visit MauiJim.com or on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at @OfficialMauiJim.
 
About Tournament Sponsors
Other sponsors include the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau, County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation, Hawaii Tourism Authority, adidas, Continental Tire and GEICO. 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.
 
About Chaminade University
Chaminade University is a private, Catholic university offering more than 25 undergraduate and graduate programs and is federally designated as a Native Hawaiian serving institution. Guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, Chaminade prepares students for careers in an evolving global marketplace rooted in the development of moral character, personal competencies and a commitment to build a just and peaceful society. Please visit chaminade.edu for more information.
 
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 Maui Jim Maui Invitational, the CBS SPORTS Classic, the State Farm Chicago Legends, the McDonald's All American Games, the POWERADE Jam Fest and activation for KitchenAid and its PGA of America partnership. KemperLesnik has operated the Maui Jim Maui Invitational since 1990. For more information, visit www.kemperlesnik.com.