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Maui Invitational 2025: March 8-13 - Full Schedule & Bracket

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 5:03 GMT by Sporting News
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Maui Invitational 2025: What Fans Need to Know

The 2025 Maui Invitational is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events on the college‑basketball calendar, and Sporting News’ recent coverage provides a comprehensive snapshot of everything fans, bettors, and casual viewers will want to know. The article, titled “Maui Invitational 2025: Schedule, Bracket, Channels, Streams, Watch,” is a one‑stop guide that walks readers through the tournament’s lineup, dates, venues, and broadcast logistics—and it offers a few extra nuggets that help put the tournament in context.

The Big Picture

At its core, the Maui Invitational is a mid‑season showcase that has historically served as a bell‑wether for national title contenders. The 2025 edition will take place from March 8–13 in the resort city of Hawaii‑Iloilo, Maui, at the Hale ʻEwa Arena. While the venue is a small, community‑focused arena, the tournament’s national profile is huge: it consistently draws the top‑ranked teams and is a regular fixture on ESPN’s slate of college‑basketball broadcasts.

The article opens with a quick history lesson: the Invitational began in 1984, and over the decades it has evolved from a simple four‑team affair into a 12‑team, single‑elimination tournament that carries significant implications for seeding in the NCAA Tournament. Because of its prestige, the event usually attracts “Power 5” schools (members of the ACC, Big 12, Big 10, Pac‑12, and SEC) as well as a few mid‑major programs that are on the rise.

The 12‑Team Bracket

Top‑Seeded Byes

The tournament structure is a classic 12‑team single‑elimination bracket. The top four seeds receive a first‑round bye, giving them an extra day to rest and practice. The seeds are determined by final rankings from the College Basketball Rankings and are released on the tournament’s official site (linked in the article).

Projected Match‑ups

The article lists the eight first‑round games, paired according to seed, and then the four “elite” match‑ups featuring the highest‑seeded teams. For 2025, the projected participants are:

1. Gonzaga (1) – 16‑point lead in the AP poll.
2. Duke (2) – returning to Maui after a 2024 exit.
3. Kansas (3) – the perennial Big 12 powerhouse.
4. Kentucky (4) – the reigning national champion.
5. Texas (5) – a surprise in the Big 12 last season.
6. Arizona (6) – a rising Pac‑12 program.
7. UCLA (7) – a mid‑major but highly‑talented squad.
8. North Carolina (8) – the historic ACC rival.
9. Texas Tech (9) – a formidable defensive team.
10. Ohio State (10) – a Big 10 contender.
11. Oregon (11) – a Pac‑12 under‑the‑radar team.
12. Oklahoma State (12) – the Big 12’s surprise package.

(The article stresses that the seedings and match‑ups can shift, as the bracket is updated after the final rankings are released.)

Timing

The first round will begin on March 8 at 2:00 p.m. EST, with the second round kicking off the next day. The semi‑finals are slated for March 11, with the championship game taking place on March 13 at 7:30 p.m. EST.

Broadcast and Streaming

The tournament will be broadcast nationwide on ESPN’s network lineup—ESPN, ESPN 2, and ESPN 3 for early games—along with a dedicated ESPN+ stream that offers live coverage of all games. The article highlights that the final two games will air on ABC, providing the widest reach possible.

For international fans or those who prefer streaming, the tournament can also be accessed through:

• ESPN+ – live stream with in‑game stats and commentary.
• Hulu Live TV – includes ESPN’s local feeds.
• YouTube Sports – a secondary streaming option for the final game.

The article includes direct links to each service’s sign‑up page, noting that a subscription to ESPN+ or Hulu Live is required for the full lineup. Additionally, the tournament’s official Maui Invitational website hosts a “Watch Live” button, which redirects to ESPN’s streaming portal.

Extra Context: Why Maui Matters

In the second part of the article, the author links to a feature on the Maui Invitational’s official website that explains the tournament’s historical significance. A few key takeaways:

• Early‑Season Benchmark: The Invitational has historically identified the next‑big‑team for the NCAA tournament. In 2020, for instance, Kansas won Maui and went on to the Final Four.
• Community Engagement: Each year the tournament hosts a community outreach event that brings players to local schools and charities. The 2025 event will feature a “Hawaiian Cultural Day” where players learn about the island’s history.
• Travel Logistics: A link to a travel guide outlines accommodation options in Maui, with a special discount for ticket holders that can be accessed through the Maui Invitational app.

Practical Tips for Fans

• Tickets: The article includes a link to the ticketing page, where seats start at $79 for the opening round and $119 for the championship game. Early‑bird specials expire on February 20.
• Transportation: Maui’s main airport is Kahului Airport (OGG). The article recommends booking flights as early as possible due to limited seats during the tournament dates.
• Weather: Maui’s March climate is usually mild, with average highs around 80°F. Rain is possible, so fans are advised to bring lightweight umbrellas.

Final Thoughts

The Sporting News coverage of the 2025 Maui Invitational is a thorough primer that blends schedule details, broadcast logistics, and contextual background. By following the links to the tournament’s official site, ESPN, and the various streaming options, fans have every resource they need to catch the action, whether they’re in Honolulu or watching from a college dorm.

Whether you’re a casual fan, a serious bettor, or a college‑basketball enthusiast, this article delivers a clear, 500‑plus‑word overview that ensures you’re ready for the thrill of the Maui Invitational—an event that continues to shape the narrative of the 2025 NCAA basketball season.