The Maui Jim Maui Invitational today revealed the official 2021 Tournament bracket, pitting top college basketball teams against each other in what is sure to be a memorable few days at the Lahaina Civic Center this Nov. 22 – 24. Monday's matchups will feature Wisconsin squaring off against Texas A&M, with Houston taking on Butler in the top half of the bracket. In the bottom half of the bracket, Oregon will face Chaminade and St. Mary's will go head-to-head against Notre Dame. All 12 Championship Round games of the Maui Invitational will be televised on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU, and also available on the ESPN App.
 
"When we announced this year's field, I felt that this could be one of our most balanced and exciting Maui Jim Maui Invitational Tournaments yet," said Tournament Chairman, David Odom. "Not only will this year's field provide the quality play that this Tournament is synonymous with, but there's even more 'Maui Magic' in the air as we prepare to bring the tournament back to paradise after a year away."
 
The Maui Jim Maui Invitational has become synonymous with buzzer beater finishes and epic upsets, setting the tone for the trajectory of these top programs and the season as a whole. The teams that have participated in the Tournament throughout the event's history own 69 of the 81 NCAA championships. Seven schools have gone on to win the national championship after competing in Maui earlier in the season.
 
In this year's field, four of the eight participating teams finished the 2019-20 season in the AP Top 25 rankings (Oregon, Wisconsin, Houston, Butler). Two of the 2021 participants are ranked in the top 35 all-time winningest schools, including Notre Dame and Oregon. Houston, Notre Dame, and Wisconsin rank in the top 50 programs with the most NCAA Tournament appearances, with 21, 36, and 24, respectively. Oregon, Saint Mary's, and Wisconsin all rank in the top 20 winningest teams of the last decade.
 
Seven out of the eight teams in the 2021 field will be making a return appearance in Maui; Saint Mary's will be making their first-ever appearance. Notre Dame is the only returning program to have earned a Maui Jim Maui Invitational championship title, having done so in their most recent appearance in 2017.
 
Matchup History 
Wisconsin vs. Texas A&M 
Series record: Wisconsin leads 1-0
Last matchup: Dec. 28, 1984 (Wisconsin 71, Texas A&M 69)
Notes: Wisconsin is making its fourth all-time appearance in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, and finished as the runner-up in 2016. Texas A&M is making its return to Maui for the first time since 1994. 
 
Houston vs. Butler 
Series Record: 0-0
Last Matchup: N/A
Notes: 2021 marks Houston's second appearance in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, having previously appeared in 2001. Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson has been named AP Coach of the Year, NABC Coach of the Year, Big Eight Coach of the Year, Pac-10 Coach of the Year, and is the two-time winner of the AAC Coach of the Year. Butler's only appearance in the tournament came in 2012, where they eventually lost to Illinois in the Championship game.
 
Oregon vs. Chaminade 
Series record: 0-0
Last matchup: N/A
Notes: Chaminade is the official host of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, appearing in the Tournament from 1984-2017, and in 2019. The Silverswords hold some of the greatest upsets in college basketball history, including wins over powerhouses such as California and Texas in Maui. The Ducks will be returning for their third appearance in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, having previously played in the tournament in 2008 and 2016. 
 
St. Mary's vs. Notre Dame
Series Record: Notre Dame leads 2-0
Last Matchup: Feb. 2, 1981
Notes: This will be Notre Dame's fourth appearance in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, having last participated in 2017. During that appearance, Notre Dame went on to win the championship with a 67-66 victory over Wichita State. Saint Mary's will be making their first-ever appearance in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational.
 
For more information or to purchase tickets for this year's tournament, visit mauiinvitational.com or follow us on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook).