Indiana head coach Archie Miller said it loud and clear after his team’s opening win against Tennessee Tech, they are in the premiere event of college basketball.
The 2020 Maui Invitational, moved to Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville, N.C. due to the coronavirus pandemic, features eight teams who are all trying to make the most out of a strange 2020-21 college basketball season. The competition includes blue bloods, upstart mid-majors, and some potential NBA Draft prospects. However, none of the eight squads ranked in the top-15 of the preseason AP poll. Anyone can raise the trophy on Wednesday, so let’s take a look at the field.
INDIANA (1-0)
AP Poll: Received votes. KenPom: 24th. Fun fact: IU’s last appearance in the AP Poll came 1/14/2019
Miller brought in a recruiting class loaded with talent, headlined by 5-star guard Khristian Lander and wing slasher Trey Galloway. In addition to the newcomers, Miller returns many key players from last season’s 20-win team, including Rob Phinisee, Al Durham, Race Thompson and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Make no mistake about it, the Indiana Hoosiers revolve around the preseason All-American Jackson-Davis. He returns for his sophomore season after averaging 13.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.
In Indiana’s first game of the season against Tennessee Tech, the “Cream and Crimson” walked away with an 89-59 victory behind Jackson-Davis’s 26 points and 11 rebounds. Rob Phinisee poured in 12 points and freshman Trey Galloway pitched in 13 off of the bench.

PROVIDENCE (1-0)
AP Poll: Received votes. KenPom: 46th. Fun fact: the school’s first mascot was a Dalmatian named “Friar of What-Ho“, purchased in 1935
Providence looks to capture its first Maui Invitational title since being crowned the first-ever champions back in 1984. Ed Cooley’s Friars spent much of their 2019 season finding their identity and ended up winning eight of their final 10 games. The emergence of David Duke helped as he averaged 12.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists in his sophomore season. On Friday, Cooley called Duke “one of the best two-way players in the country”.
Providence looked dominant in its. home opener as they defeated Fairfield, 97-56. They held their opposition to just 13.3% from long distance and just 32% from the field. Center Nate Watson led the way for Providence with 23 points and 10 rebounds. The Friars also saw four other players scoring in double figures. Shooting nearly 45% from three will make Providence dangerous in the invitational and a team that nobody can overlook.
The Hoosiers take on Providence at 2:30 PM EST on Monday. For the Friars, forward Jimmy Nichols, Jr. is likely available for this contest after missing the opener. IU has not updated center Joey Brunk‘s status for the contest.