Memphis Tigers Face Off Against No. 4 Auburn Tigers in Maui Invitational Championship

The Maui Invitational Presented by Novavax is set to culminate in an exciting championship game on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, as the unranked Memphis Tigers take on the No. 4 Auburn Tigers at the Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii. Both teams enter the game with perfect 6-0 records, making this a highly anticipated matchup between two unbeaten squads.

Memphis has had a remarkable run in the tournament, starting with an overtime victory over No. 2 UConn 99-97 on Monday, followed by a 71-63 win against Michigan State in the semifinals on Tuesday. Tyrese Hunter has been instrumental in Memphis’ success, leading the team in scoring in both victories. Hunter, who has played for Iowa State and Texas before joining Memphis, scored 26 points against UConn and 23 points against Michigan State.

Auburn, meanwhile, has also impressed with dominant performances. They defeated No. 5 Iowa State 83-81 in the first round and then outplayed No. 12 North Carolina 85-72 in the semifinals. Johni Broome has been a standout player for Auburn, contributing 21 points and 10 rebounds against Iowa State and 23 points and 19 rebounds against North Carolina. Broome’s performance has been highlighted by his ability to prove doubters wrong, given his humble beginnings as a three-star recruit.

The game is scheduled to tip off at 5:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on ESPN. Auburn is favored by 9 points, with the over/under set at 157.5 points. Despite being underdogs, Memphis has shown significant resilience and offensive prowess, averaging 82.5 points per game. Auburn, on the other hand, boasts a strong offense and defense, averaging 86.2 points per game while allowing just 65 points per game.

The betting lines indicate a high-scoring game, with Auburn having an 81.5% implied probability of winning according to the moneyline odds. However, Memphis has covered the spread in all six of its games this season, making them a compelling choice for those looking to back the underdog.