MAUI, Hawaii -- The EA SPORTS Maui Invitational® Hosted by Chaminade University today announced the eight teams that will battle at Maui's famed Lahaina Civic Center in the Championship Round of the 2012 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational. Butler, Illinois, Marquette,Mississippi State, North Carolina, Texas, USC and host Chaminade University are the scheduled teams for the 29th edition of the nation's premier early-season college basketball tournament.
"The 2012 field exemplifies the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational's commitment to bringing the nation's top teams to the island of Maui," EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Tournament Chairman David Odom said. "With legendary basketball programs, led by some of American's most notable and proven coaches, as well as dedicated fan bases coming to Maui in 2012, we are looking forward to another exciting, fun-filled and competitive week of Basketball in Paradise."
2012 Championship Round Teams
Butler: The Bulldogs, in their second consecutive trip to the NCAA Championship Game, lost to Connecticut, the 2010 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Champions, in the 2011 NCAA National Championship Game. In 2012, Butler and coach Brad Stevens will make their first appearance in the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational. Butler last played in Hawaii as part of the 2010 Diamond Head Classic, collecting the tournament title.
Illinois: Coach Bruce Weber led the Illini to a third place finish in the 2007 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, where Illinois is 6-3 all-time. The Illini lost to Arizona in the 2000 championship game and finished third in 1987.
Marquette: Current coach Buzz Williams will try to bring the Golden Eagles their first EA SPORTS Maui Invitational title. Marquette played in the 2007 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational and finished 2-1 after losing to Duke in the championship game.
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs and coach Rick Stansbury will make their first trip to the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational. Mississippi State will be the ninth school from the SEC to ever participate in the Tournament.
North Carolina: The three-time EA SPORTS Maui Invitational champions (2008, 2004, 1999) will return to Maui, where they hold a 13-2 all-time record. Coach Roy Williams and the Tar Heels will be looking to win the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational and the NCAA Tournament in the same season for a third time (2008-09, 2004-05).
Texas: The Longhorns are 6-3 all-time in Maui and will make their fourth trip to the island, where coach Rick Barnes will try and capture the program's first EA SPORTS Maui Invitational title. Texas finished third in both 2008 and 2004.
USC: Coach Kevin O'Neill will lead the Trojans back to Maui for the program's second visit to the island. They finished fifth in 1999 in a field that featured two of that year's Final Four teams, Florida and North Carolina.
Chaminade: Chaminade upset Oklahoma in last year's EA SPORTS Maui Invitational and has also beaten Princeton (2007) and Villanova (2003) in the Tournament.
The four Division I teams that will participate in the 2012 Opening and Regional Games, which is part of the Tournament's expansion beginning this year, will be announced at a later date.
The 2011 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational is fast approaching. The 2011 Championship Round includes Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, Memphis, Michigan, Tennessee, UCLA and host Chaminade. The four Division I teams that will participate in the Opening and Regional Games will be announced at a later date. Ticket and travel packages for the 2011 Championship Round are now on sale. Visit the official Tournament website at mauiinvitational.com or contact Oahu Travel, official travel agent of the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, at 800.826.3822 for more information.
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.
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 college basketball tournament, the McDonald's All American High School Basketball Games and Jam Fest, as well as manages activation for KitchenAid and its PGA of America partnership. For more information, visit www.kemperlesnik.com.
About Our Sponsors
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.
In addition to title sponsor EA SPORTS, other current 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 for the thousands of fans and boosters who annually accompany their teams to Maui. KemperLesnik has operated the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational since 1990.
(Release courtesy of the Maui Invitational)
Tags: Butler - Men's Basketball
