Tue Nov 26 02:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Auburn Tigers Head to Maui Invitational with High Hopes
**AUBURN, AL** – The Auburn Tigers men’s basketball team is heading to Maui for the prestigious Maui Invitational, a tournament boasting a stacked field of top-ranked teams. Forward Chad Baker-Mazara expressed excitement about the trip, calling the combination of Hawaiian vacation and high-level competition a “kid in a candy store” experience.
The Tigers, currently ranked #3, will face a daunting challenge, starting with a Monday night matchup against #5 Iowa State. The tournament features seven teams ranked or receiving votes in the AP and USA Today polls, including #2 UConn and #10 North Carolina. Auburn could potentially face all three of these powerhouse teams throughout the week-long competition.
Coach Bruce Pearl drew parallels between this tournament and Auburn’s 2019 Final Four run, emphasizing the need to overcome strong opponents one game at a time. Baker-Mazara similarly compared the challenge to last season’s SEC Tournament victory, focusing on the importance of preparing for consecutive high-pressure games.
A victory in Maui would be historic for Auburn, who have never finished in the top two of the invitational. A strong performance could also significantly boost their national ranking, with Baker-Mazara stating that a Maui victory could propel them to the #1 spot. The team’s performance this week will undoubtedly impact their national standing and their season trajectory.
First Piper 