Maui Invitational unveils potentially formidable 2016 field
Even as this year's Maui Invitational tips off Monday afternoon, buzz is already beginning to build for future tournaments.
The 2016 field the Maui Invitational unveiled Monday includes blue blood North Carolina, four-time national champion UConn, 2014 Final Four Wisconsin and perennial Big East contender Georgetown. Tennessee, Oregon, Oklahoma State and host Chaminade round out the promising eight-team field.
It would be a surprise if that tournament isn't among 2016's best given the tradition-rich participants, but exactly how strong the field will be is difficult to predict two years in advance.
North Carolina should be among the nation's top teams as long as potential NCAA sanctions from its academic scandal aren't crippling. Georgetown has strung together several good recruiting classes of late and there's no reason to believe UConn and Wisconsin won't be formidable.
The wildcards are Oregon, Oklahoma State and Tennesee, each of whom are in rebuilding mode right now. Should some or all of them replenished their rosters by then, the field could suddenly be deeper than it would appear today.
Regardless, the apparent strength of the 2016 field suggests the Maui Invitational won't lose its status as one of college basketball's premier early-season events anytime soon.
The 2015 field includes blue bloods Kansas, UCLA and Indiana and fellow noteworthy programs UNLV, St. John's, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest. Arizona, San Diego State, Kansas State and Pittsburgh highlight this week's edition.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
