:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36583086/20131127_jla_ss1_142.0.jpg)
EA Sports and ESPN has finally released the bracket for this year's Maui Invitational, and Purdue looks to have gotten a favorable draw. Purdue will actually play in the opening game of the tournament at 2:30pm ET on ESPN2 against Kansas State on November 24th:
|
Purdue vs. Kansas State |
2:30 p.m. EST |
ESPN2 |
|
Missouri vs. Arizona |
5:00 p.m. EST |
ESPN2 |
|
Pittsburgh vs. Chaminade |
9:00 p.m. EST |
ESPNU |
|
BYU vs. San Diego State |
11:30 p.m. EST |
ESPN2 |
The rest of the tournament is not as easy. Purdue's second opponent will be against Arizona, who was No. 1 for much of last season, or Missouri, who recently split a home-and-home series with the Boilermakers. As long as Purdue wins one of its first two games it should avoid Chaminade as well on the final day. The worst you can do in Maui is have your only win come against the Silverswords (well, unless you lose to them). Since they are a Division II school the game doesn't even count int he RPI and if you lose, well, you deserve to be taunted.
Last season Kansas State was 20-13 and made the NCAA Tournament before losing as a 9 seed to Kentucky in the first round 56-49. There is a lengthy history with Purdue there too. Former assistant and Illinois head coach Bruce Weber is their coach, Gene Keady played there in the 50's, and you have the choke job Purdue had against them in the 1988 NCAA Tournament. They lost their final four games last season and are definitely a beatable opponent to start the tournament.
Purdue would do very well to win the first game and the last game against BYU, San Diego State, or Pittsburgh with a solid showing against Arizona in round 2.
As a side note, the November 14 game against Samford is officially an "Opening Round" game in the event.