Auburn Tigers center Dylan Cardwell (44) makes a post move on North Alabama Lions forward Corneilous Williams (3) as Auburn Tigers take on North Alabama Lions at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. © Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
No. 5 Iowa State (3-0) travels to the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui, Hawaii to take on the No. 4 Auburn Tigers (4-0) in the Maui Invitational on Monday night (8:00 p.m., ESPNU).
The Cyclones are making their third appearance in the prestigious Maui
Invitational (2024, 2018, & 1990), which is widely regarded as college basketball’s premier early-season tournament.
The field is featuring four top 10 teams—No. 2 UConn, No. 4 Auburn, No. 5 Iowa State, and No. 12 North Carolina. Iowa State and Auburn will mark the first-ever top 10 first-round matchup in tournament history.
The Competition
- No. 4 Auburn: The Tigers, led by head coach Bruce Pearl, feature a mix
of experienced seniors and exciting newcomers. Johni Broome is a
dominant senior center and pairs nicely with dynamic freshman guard
Tahaad Pettiford, a McDonald’s All-American. Veteran guards Denver
Jones and JP Pegues bring lots of scoring in bunches, while transfer Miles Kelly adds depth to a talented roster. With a balance of size, athleticism, and shooting, Auburn is poised to contend in the SEC and beyond and will be one of the favorites to win this tournament. - No. 2 UConn: After back-to-back National Championships, the UConn
Huskies are poised for another strong season. Alex Karaban, the lone
returning starter from last year’s championship squad, anchors the team with his terrific shooting and All-American potential. Returning guard Hassan Diarra transitions into a starting role this season, bringing defensive tenacity and improved playmaking. He pairs well with transfer Aidan Mahaney (Saint Mary’s) who adds depth and scoring options. In the frontcourt, Tarris Reed Jr., a transfer from Michigan, dominates then paint with his interior presence with post moves and rim protection. The Huskies are once again in the hunt for another National Championship.
- No. 7 North Carolina: The Tar Heels are looking to build on last season’s
success, which included an Elite Eight run and an ACC regular-season title. They are led by veteran guard RJ Davis, who is one of the best players in the ACC, if not the country. Sophomore Elliot Cadeau has made a huge jump so far this season as a scorer. Transfers forwards Ven-Allen Lubin (Vanderbilt) and Cade Tyson (Belmont) add valuable experience, while highly rated freshmen Ian Jackson and Drake Powell provide additional talent and rebounding to a team that is in need of it after the departure of Armando Bacot. - Michigan State: The Spartans are led by longtime coach Tom Izzo. Senior Jaden Akins (10.4 PPG, 36.4% 3PT last season) headlines their returning talent, while Nebraska Omaha transfer Frankie Fidler adds scoring versatility (20.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG in 2023-24). The frontcourt is led by Xavier Booker (6’11”) who brings physicality and rebounding to a smaller MSU squad.
- Memphis: Penny Hardaway is aiming to reclaim dominance in the AAC
after missing the NCAA Tournament last year despite a 22-10 record. Key
returning player Nicholas Jourdain emphasizes improved team chemistry and higher energy in practices compared to last season. New starters include former Cyclone and Longhorn Tyrese Hunter and Colby Rogers, with Jared Harris emerging as a standout freshman. Injuries to star center Moussa Cisse and others may test their depth early on especially in a tournament where teams play three games in three days. - Colorado: The Buffaloes squad has shown promise early on this season as
they have raced out to a 4-0 start. With a mix of returning talent like Julian Hammond III and Javon Ruffin, as well as contributions from freshman forward Sebastian Rancik, Colorado emphasizes versatility and athleticism. Their defense has been solid so far this season, leveraging their size in the frontcourt, particularly from Bangot Dak but offensive consistency remains a work in progress. Colorado has also added key transfers, including Andrej Jakimovski, who brings veteran experience and shooting range from Washington State. - Dayton: The Flyers are off to a promising start as a top contender in the
Atlantic 10. Despite losing key players like DaRon Holmes II, who averaged 20.4 points and 8.5 rebounds last season, Dayton has retained crucial contributors under head coach Anthony Grant. The Flyers emphasize balanced scoring, with important players such as Malachi Smith averaging 10 points and 5 assists per game. Their defense has been effective, holding opponents to 37.9% shooting while dominating the boards averaging 39 rebounds per game. With a strong start to the season, the Flyers appear well-positioned for another NCAA tournament bid.
Iowa State’s Keys to Success
- Defensive Pressure: Iowa State ranks third nationally in adjusted defense
and excel at forcing turnovers (28% of possessions). They must maintain
intensity against elite offenses. Finding a way to turn teams over has been a key to the Cyclones’ gameplan under TJ Otzelberger. - Balanced Scoring: Curtis Jones leads the team with 15 points per game off the bench, supported by Tamin Lipsey (13.7 PPG) and Keshon Gilbert
(12.3 PPG). Secondary scorers like Milan Momcilovic must step up in high-pressure situations. Look for the Cyclones to assert their size advantage early in games with Dishon Jackson and Joshua Jefferson. Staying consistent will be huge for Iowa State. - Short-Term Memory: Iowa State is playing three games in three days, so
mental toughness and the ability to adjust quickly are critical. Demarion
Watson and Nojus Indrusaitis could get extended minutes early on. - Rebounding Battle: Against teams like Auburn and UConn, Iowa State
needs to have strong efforts from big men like Joshua Jefferson and Dishon Jackson down low. They have been very good at this so far this season.
The Opportunity
Beyond the competition, Maui offers a chance for the Cyclones to play top notch competition early on in the season. This tournament is an early test for all eight teams, offering a glimpse of their potential heading into the season.
If Iowa State defeats Auburn, they’ll face North Carolina or Dayton in the
semifinals. A loss shifts them to the consolation bracket. Regardless, the Maui Invitational is an opportunity to cement their status as a national contender.
