UCLA To Play Chaminade in Maui Invitational Opener

By Bruin Basketball Report

Organizers of the 2006 Maui Invitational announced the official tournament bracket.

In its 23rd year, the eight-team college season-opening event takes center stage at Maui’s Lahaina Civic Center.

Seven NCAA Division I teams will join Division II host Chaminade University November 20-22.

The Maui Invitational boasts three teams ranked in top 25 college basketball preseason polls: UCLA, Memphis, and Georgia Tech.

The rest of the tournament field includes Kentucky, Purdue, DePaul, and Oklahoma.

"We’ve carried the momentum of an unforgettable 2005 event right into this year,” said Tournament Chairman Dave Gavitt. “This tournament promises to set the stage for the 2006-07 college basketball season with play from an assembly of decorated teams, including a pair in UCLA and Kentucky that collectively boasts 18 NCAA titles.”

UCLA will open against tournament host, Chaminade, on November 20th.

If the Bruins win their first round game, then it will set up a showdown against Kentucky in the second round.

"We are excited about being in the Maui Invitational," said Bruin head coach Ben Howland. "It is one of the premier tournaments in the country year in and year out. This year's field is a lot like last year's with a lot of great teams and oustanding coaches, which should make for an exciting tournament."

UCLA has posted an all-time record of 3-3 in the Maui Invitational, including a third-place finish in its last appearance during the 2001-02 season when the team posted a 2-1 record.

All twelve tournament games are schedule to be televised on ESPN.

[click here for official tournament bracket]

(BruinBasketballReport.com)