Maui Invitational: UNC looks to stay undefeated, Chaminade hopes for some more Maui magic.

Aloha basketball fans. The Maui Invitational is upon us, and better than ever. Featuring four preseason Top-25 teams and two No. 1 seeds from the 2016 NCAA Tournament, the field for this years classic in the “Aloha State” has potential to produce some jaw-dropping action.

A field that features Georgetown, Oregon, Connecticut, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Tennessee and the host team, Division II Chaminade, will provide action packed games in every round.

We have teams that were No.1 in the NCAA Tournament last year, and teams that advanced to the Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final 4, and National Championship.

As for North Carolina, they will play the host team, Chaminade at 6:30 HST, which will be a late night here in New York, but hey it’s worth it.

The Tar Heels come into this as the 4th ranked team in the country in the latest AP Poll. Matched up against the Division II Silverswords, I see North Carolina having no problem in this one, winning it easily. Here are some key factors for tonights duel in the Aloha State.

UNC Freshman: The young Tar Heels will be under the microscope tonight. Can Brandon Robinson, Tony Bradley, Seventh Woods, and Shea Rush have those breakout performances Tar Heel’s fans have been waiting for? I think so. Look for them to get some quality minutes tonight, which can translate to some quality performances.

History tends to repeat itself…?: Some may recall the 1982 game in which Chaminade knocked off No. 1 Virginia in whats been called the biggest upset ever. The game that started the Maui Invitational, is forever seared into the hearts of Cavaliers fans for all the wrong reasons. Can they pull of another upset and party like it’s 1982? Chaminade is one of the best teams in all of Division II and can score the basketball like no other, and they have the confidence needed as an underdog.

“The guys have faith and believe in themselves,” head coach Eric Bovaird said. “They believe they can play with these guys.… We’re one of the top offensive teams in Division II, and we believe we can score on anybody.”