2018 Maui Jim Maui Invitational Bracket
What the Coaches are Saying
2018 Team Facts
Fraschilla Breaks Down the 2018 Tournament

Veteran ESPN college basketball analyst and a regular at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, Jay Bilas provides his insights and breaks down the 2018 Maui Jim Maui Invitational.

Q: First off, what stands out to you as you look at these opening-round matchups? Any particular game, or games, intrigue you the most?
 
A: First, the quality of program tradition and success in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational is jaw-dropping. To have Duke, Arizona, Gonzaga and other Final Four and Elite Eight programs in the field is really incredible. There are so many great storylines.  As to individual match-ups, every opening round game will be competitive. Are the traditional powers the favorites? Yes. But, I would not be surprised to see some early upsets. Duke and Gonzaga are early Final Four favorites, and it would not surprise me to see four Maui teams among the Elite Eight by the end of the season. The team to really watch is Auburn.  Bruce Pearl's team could win the tournament and compete for a national championship. This field is that strong.
 
Q: This year's field will feature Hall of Fame coaches, player of the year candidates, conference and national championship contenders. What are you most looking forward to about this year's Tournament?
 
A: While the coaches are fantastic and Hall of Fame caliber, and there are young coaches like Xavier's Travis Steele and San Diego State's Brian Dutcher, it is always the players that make the tournament. Duke has, arguably, its best recruiting class, ever. Gonzaga has one of Mark Few's best teams, with an impressive combination of experience, youth and transfers. Xavier and Iowa State lost a ton of talent from last year's teams, but both will be NCAA Tournament contenders. The field is loaded. Absolutely loaded.
 
Q: Who are the players to watch during this year's Tournament?  
 
A: Duke's recruiting class is the headline group. To have R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish and Tre Jones in one class is an embarrassment of riches. But, they are young and other teams have more experience, which could be a difference maker. Gonzaga has an experienced and talented starting unit with Josh Perkins, Zach Norvell, Corey Kispert, Rui Hachimura and Killian Tillie, and quality depth behind that experienced group. Illinois has Trent Frazier back, and Brad Underwood has a group that will press and fight you for 40 minutes. San Diego State has been to the NCAA Tournament in seven of the last nine years, and Jalen McDaniels is back and ready to take off. Auburn has a ton of talent returning, and Austin Wiley will be the Tigers' best all-around player. Bryce Brown and Jared Harper are tough minded winners, and will have Auburn competitive for the Maui title. Iowa State's Lindell Wigginton is one of the best guards in the country, and should take another step forward after coming back from the NBA Draft. Arizona may have lost a ton of talent, but the Wildcats have a great recruiting class led by Brandon Williams, and Chase Jeter is eligible after transferring from Duke and Ryan Luther transferred in from Pittsburgh. The field has some amazing talent.
 
Q: If there were one or two under-the-radar teams that could surprise and make a run in the Tournament, who would it be and why? 
 
A: The headline programs are obviously Duke, Gonzaga and Arizona.  But, the two programs that can surprise people, whether or not anyone should reasonably be surprised, are Auburn and Iowa State. Auburn is legit and will contend, and Iowa State has good talent. Steve Prohm will have the Cyclones playing well.
 
Q: You've called many games at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. Are there common traits you have noticed among the teams that have won the championship in Maui?
 
A: To win the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, a team has to have depth and talent, and has to be able to survive three games against great competition.  You cannot have an "off game" in Maui or you will be sent to the consolation bracket. One thing is for certain, you cannot back into a Maui title, and you cannot luck into one. This is a title you have to earn. Usually, a Maui title is a sign of a national championship caliber team. That is especially true this season.
 
Q: To take that a step further, the Tournament has a history of preparing teams for the season to come – at least one team from the last eight Maui fields has advanced to the Regional Final at the end of the year. What is it about this Tournament that provides such a great launching pad for teams to begin their season?
 
A: It starts with the quality of the field. Maui helps prepare teams for what they will face later in the season, but the reason it is such a helpful experience is due to the great teams, players and coaches in the field. The Maui Jim Maui Invitational is a great tournament for a variety of reasons, chief among them is the quality of the participants that Tournament Chairman Dave Odom brings to Maui every year.  
 
Q: Prediction time: Which teams are best-suited to make a run to the final?
 
A: Duke, Gonzaga, Auburn and Arizona will be the most powerful. But, each had better play well. No team in Maui will be afraid. It will be an incredible battle for the title. I cannot wait!