The Maui Invitational (November 19-21) is the most competitive early season tournament in college basketball this season. Gonzaga is playing in its fifth all-time appearance in this tournament, the last being in 2013. GU won this tournament in 2009 with a 61-59 OT win over Cincinnati. Steven Gray and Matt Bouldin were named Co-MVPs.
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Here are my predictions:
1st Round - Auburn over Xavier, Duke over San Diego State, Arizona over Iowa State, Gonzaga over Illinois
2nd Round - Duke over Auburn, Gonzaga over Arizona, San Diego State over Xavier, Iowa State over Illinois
7th Place Game - Xavier over Illinois
5th Place Game - San Diego State over Iowa State
3rd Place Game - Auburn over Arizona
Championship - Gonzaga over Duke
#9 Auburn Tigers: (3-0)
Wins - South Alabama, #25 Washington, Mississippi College
KenPom Ranking - #8
This is Auburn’s first appearance in the Maui Invitational.