2012 College Basketball Maui Invitational Odds, Picks and Predictions – Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers

2012 College Basketball Maui Invitational Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – North Carolina the Favorite: The Maui Invitational has become one of the most well-known early-season college basketball tournaments, and it has a knack for mixing powerhouse teams and underdogs. Early round games are played at various sites around the country, but the tournament really gets going next week when the action shifts to Maui for the quarterfinals.

Last year’s tournament had a loaded field that featured the likes of Duke, Kansas, Michigan, Georgetown, UCLA and Memphis. The Jayhawks steamrolled their way into the championship game where they faced a Blue Devils team that was pushed to the limit in the semifinals by the Wolverines. In the end, Duke outlasted Kansas, notching a 68-61 victory in the title game and winning the tournament for the fifth time in five attempts. Duke forward Ryan Kelly was named tournament MVP.

2012 College Basketball Maui Invitational Odds, Free Picks and Predictions

The Favorite

Despite losing four players to the first round of the NBA Draft, the North Carolina Tarheels are still the most talented team in the Maui Invitational, and they have the best player in the tournament in James Michael McAdoo. The sophomore is averaging 22.5 points and 12.5 rebounds thus far, and it is obvious why NBA scouts thought he would have been a lottery pick despite coming off the bench for the Tarheels last year. Meanwhile, Reggie Bullock and Dexter Strickland have provided adequate perimeter scoring while freshman forward Joel James has enjoyed a solid start. Even with the roster turnover, North Carolina is still a great rebounding team and can still put a lot of points on the board. Led by McAdoo, the Tarheels have the offensive firepower to outscore their way to a tournament title.

The Dark Horses

The 2012-13 season is only a couple of games old, but the Texas Longhorns have a potential star on their hands in guard Sheldon McClellan. The sophomore is averaging a team-high 22.5 points per game, and he is attacking the basket and getting to the foul line as good as any player in the country. The problem Texas is facing is that there isn’t another player on the roster averaging double figures. Despite the lack of balance on offense, the Longhorns have the easiest path to the finals in Maui, dodging North Carolina and Marquette in their half of the bracket. They also have two highly-touted freshmen in Connor Lammert and Cameron Ridley in their frontcourt. If the two freshmen get going and provide the inside punch to McClellan’s perimeter scoring, Texas could come away with the tournament title.

Unlike last season, the Marquette Golden Eagles don’t have a pair of NBA-caliber players leading the way. However, coach Buzz Williams’ up-tempo style doesn’t need star players to succeed. Heading into the quarterfinals in Maui, seven players are getting significant minutes and six are averaging at least seven points per game. The Golden Eagles are also one of the top teams in the country in terms of assists per game. What Marquette lacks in star power it more than makes up for in depth and speed. If the Golden Eagles can control the pace and turn the tournament into a track meet, they could run their way to a Maui Invitational title.

Sleeper Special

As their ugly loss to Xavier suggests, the Butler Bulldogs have some weaknesses. However, there is no denying that coach Brad Stevens has a way of getting his players to come together in tournament settings. This year’s team has some major question marks on the offensive end, but freshman guard Kellen Dunham looks like he could be the program’s next star. Throw in senior guard Rotnei Clarke, and the Bulldogs at least have some perimeter firepower. More importantly, Butler plays a methodical style on offense and a grinding style on defense that has a way of keeping games close regardless of the opponent. Anything can happen down the stretch in tight games, and the Bulldogs just might rekindle their March magic in Maui.

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