Maui Invitational schedule, preview, predictions for NC State basketball

For the first time in program history, N.C. State basketball will be in Hawaii for Thanksgiving week to compete in the Maui Invitational.

The 25th-ranked Wolfpack (4-0) tips off the three-day event against Seton Hall (5-0) on Monday, Nov. 24 (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2) inside the Lahaina Civic Center.

“Most people nationally haven’t seen us. They may see our scores and see some other things like that, but they haven’t seen us,” N.C. State basketball coach Will Wade said Nov. 20 during a press conference inside the Dail Basketball Center.

“It’s a chance for us to step onto that national stage against other really good programs and national brands.”

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Arizona State, Boise State, Southern Cal, Texas, Washington State and Division II host Chaminade round out the eight-team field. The championship game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

“I like where we are. I think we’re probably going to have some adversity on the trip. I think our team’s built,” Wade said.

“I think our foundation’s strong enough right now to withstand some adversity. Whatever’s going to come at us, I think we’re built for it. I think we’re going to find that out about ourselves as we go through the tournament.”

Here’s a look at the full schedule and bracket, along with previews of each team and a prediction for which squad will be celebrating a championship in Hawaii.

Maui Invitational preview for NC State basketball, Texas, Arizona State, Seton Hall, USC, others

Here’s a quick breakdown of the eight-team field in the 2025 Maui Invitational

The Wolfpack is the favorite in Maui, according to oddsmakers. Fifth in effective field-goal percentage offensively as of Nov. 21, according to KenPom, Darrion Williams (23.3 ppg, 6.3 rbg, 4 apg, 1.5 spg) is the leader of the Pack. But Williams has plenty of help, including Paul McNeil (15.3 ppg, 5.5 rbg), Tre Holloman (13.5 ppg, 2 apg) and Quadir Copeland (13.3 ppg, 4.5 apg). Defense, particularly finishing possessions with rebounds, will be among the major keys for N.C. State in Maui.

Arizona State

Bobby Hurley’s Sun Devils are 11th in average height, per KenPom, with one of the tallest rosters in the nation. Veteran guard Moe Odom (14.8 ppg, 4 rbg, 7.2 apg, 2.6 spg) and 7-foot-1 center Massamba Diop (13.6 ppg, 6.2 rbg, 1.6 bpg) are the key players for a group that had a 12-point loss vs. Gonzaga.

Texas

Former N.C. State assistant coach Sean Miller is in his first season with the Longhorns, who opened the year with a 15-point loss to Duke. Texas has a top-25 defense and possesses a roster that’s eighth nationally in Division I experience. Matas Vokietaitis (16 ppg, 7.2 rbg, 1.4 bpg), a 7-footer, and Dailyn Swain (15.2 ppg, 6.6 rbg, 2.4 apg) are the top players to watch.

Seton Hall

The unbeaten Pirates, who have six players averaging at least one steal per game, have a top-25 defense and are fourth nationally in turnover percentage (26.7%) per KenPom. Seton Hall also does an elite job protecting the rim as the top-ranked team in block percentage (30.7%). Najai Hines (3.2 bpg), Tajuan Simpkins (13.2 ppg, 1.2 spg) and AJ Staton-McCray (10.4 ppg, 1.4 spg) are the headliners.

USC

The Muss Bus is rolling into Hawaii with an undefeated record after surviving a scare from Troy. Sixth in average height, the Trojans are powered by the veteran trio of Chad Baker-Mazara (22.5 ppg, 6.8 rbg), Rodney Rice (20.5 ppg, 7.8 apg) and Ezra Ausar (18.3 ppg, 4.5 rbg).

Boise State

The Broncos lost to Division II Hawaii Pacific in the season opener, but they have a top-30 defense and four players averaging double-digit points. Dylan Andrews (10.8 ppg, 5.4 apg) and Andrew Meadow (15.6 ppg, 4.8 rbg) are among the key players to watch.

Washington State

The Cougars have lost three of their first five games, but they’re 13th in bench minutes, which could be advantageous in a three-day tourney. ND Okafor (11.2 ppg, 5.6 rbg) and Emmanuel Ugbo (11.2 ppg, 5.4 rbg) are among the 11 players averaging double-digit minutes.

Chaminade

The tournament’s Division II host participated in the tournament every year from 1984-2017, but that shifted to every other year in 2018. The Silverswords haven’t won a game in the tournament since knocking off California in 2017. Nathan Medina (19.3 ppg) and Roland Banks II (17 ppg, 6 apg) are among Chaminade’s top players.

Maui Invitational prediction

Of the teams participating, Arizona State (1994) and Texas (2020) are the only programs to previously celebrate a Maui Invitational championship. But N.C. State, the lone program in the field with national championship banners, can join a group that includes rivals Duke and North Carolina. The Blue Devils (5) and Tar Heels (4) have the most Maui titles. After beating Seton Hall, Southern Cal and Texas, the Wolfpack will snag its seat at the Tobacco Road table of Maui champs.

Maui Invitational schedule, bracket 2025

All times ET

The 2025 Maui Invitational bracket

Monday, Nov. 24

Game 1: N.C. State vs. Seton Hall, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 2: Southern Cal vs. Boise State, 5 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 3: Washington State vs. Chaminade, 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
Game 4: Arizona State vs. Texas, 11:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Tuesday, Nov. 25

Game 5: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 6: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2, 5 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 7: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 8: Loser of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Wednesday, Nov. 26

Championship game: 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Third-place game: 5:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Fifth-place game: 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Seventh-place game: 11:59 p.m. (ESPN2)

Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Maui Invitational bracket, preview, predictions in 2025

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