Boise State Men’s Basketball Makes Historic Maui Invitational Debut

LAHAINA, HAWAI’I – Boise State men’s basketball team will make its historic debut at the Maui Invitational starting Monday at 3 p.m. MT. The Broncos, currently holding a 4-1 record, face undefeated USC (4-0) in the opening round at the Lahaina Civic Center.

Boise State has made a name for itself with three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and 99 wins over the last four years. Coach Leon Rice emphasized the significance of the invitation, stating, “It’s huge. They invite programs, not teams, because you have to do it in advance. So if your program is consistently good, then you will get these opportunities.”

The Maui Invitational is known as one of the premier early-season tournaments in college basketball. Joining Boise State and USC are other notable teams including Texas, Arizona State, NC State, Seton Hall, Washington State, and Chaminade.

Boise State enters the tournament fresh off a four-game winning streak, having recovered from an opening game loss to Division II Hawaii Pacific. USC is also coming off a thrilling 107-106 triple-overtime win against Troy, which included a last-minute buzzer-beater from guard Jordan Marsh.

The Broncos have an opportunity to play in three Quad 1 games within three days, starting with USC, ranked 24th at KenPom. Following that, they could face NC State (19th) and Texas (41st) in potential matchups.

<p"That's what you want," Rice said about challenging matchups creating resume opportunities. "Great teams and great resume opportunities on a neutral court."

A large contingent of nearly 200 family members and fans from Boise State traveled to Maui to support the team, enhancing the tournament’s atmosphere. Rice remarked on the unique feel of the Lahaina Civic Center, saying, “It’s such a cool environment. It kind of takes you back, you play in these huge arenas all over the country and all over the world now, and it takes you back to the small gyms where we all started. There’s an appreciation for that.”

As the Broncos prepare to compete, Rice highlighted that while enjoying the experience is important, the ultimate goal remains to win. “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime. But this is not a tourist thing. We’re going to compete.”

The Maui Invitational runs from Nov. 24 to Nov. 26, with Boise State eager to make a mark on the national stage.