2012 Maui Invitational Odds, Picks, Predictions & Tournament Preview

The 2012 Maui Invitational field and schedule are set, and here at Bankroll Sports, we are going to be taking a look at all eight teams to determine which one is going to be the 2012 Maui Invitational winner. Don’t miss all of the hot college basketball odds for this tremendous preseason college basketball event!

North Carolina Tar Heels (1.50 to 1 @ WagerWeb Sportsbook): The Tar Heels are the most talented team in this tournament, but that doesn’t necessarily mean much. Head Coach Roy Williams is going to be a man on a mission to get this team to the Final Four again this year, but save for James Michael McAdoo and Reggie Bullock, the rest of the team doesn’t feel cohesive quite yet. We do like the idea of G Dexter Strickland back running the point, and he should get his legs underneath him once again here in Maui after missing the end of last year injured.

Texas Longhorns (1.75 to 1 @ WagerWeb Sportsbook): If the Longhorns’ 55-53 win over the Fresno State Bulldogs didn’t send up any smoke signals to you, perhaps it should have. Texas doesn’t have Myck Kabongo at this point, and that really leaves a massive scoring hole. Freshman Javan Felix is going to have to grow up in a hurry for the Longhorns to succeed here in Maui, because Sheldon McClellan isn’t going to be able to do everything himself.

Illinois Fighting Illini (3 to 1 @ WagerWeb Sportsbook): Head Coach John Groce knows that he has a team that has a lot of work to do to get into the NCAA Tournament this year. DJ Richardson and Brandon Paul could lead the way this year for a team that has a lot of promise, but not necessarily a heck of a lot of results. The Illini have played sloppy thus far this year and have to be concerned coming to Maui.

Marquette Golden Eagles (5 to 1 @ WagerWeb Sportsbook): Gone are both Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom, but we still like the combination of what the Golden Eagles have to work with. Jamil Wilson had a big first game, and Davante Gardner and Vander Blue should take over as the faces of this program. If there’s a bust out coming soon, this is the time for it in Maui against some great clubs.

Butler Bulldogs (8 to 1 @ WagerWeb Sportsbook): Head Coach Brad Stevens knows that this is a team that has the potential to be quite special. In his first game with his new team, Rotnei Clarke went off for 21 points, and he is clearly going to be the scoring threat that this team needs to shine during the A-10 season. This is a dangerous club with a history of taking down some giants, so don’t count out the Dogs.

USC Trojans (8 to 1 @ WagerWeb Sportsbook): USC has a relatively short travel schedule in comparison to a number of the other teams here in Maui, and it is going to try to prove that an injury riddled year last year is in the past, and the squad can work towards the NCAA Tournament in 2012. Aaron Fuller should lead the way for this team, which might be in for some surprising results, though we don’t think that the Men of Troy could seriously win the Maui Invitational.

Mississippi State Bulldogs (12 to 1 @ WagerWeb Sportsbook): MSU knows that it is in trouble this year, and there is a good chance that it finishes last amongst the serious contenders here in Maui. An opening loss at Troy made the Bulldogs the only team in the SEC to not start off the campaign at 1-0. There just isn’t enough offense here to make this team a contender.

Chaminade Silverswords (500 to 1 @ WagerWeb Sportsbook): Of course, Chaminade has no chance whatsoever of winning this tournament, and just the fact that there are odds posted is comical. The Silverswords did win a game in the 2010 tournament, but that didn’t take place until the 7th place game. Aside from that, there aren’t any wins for the hosts since 2007, another seventh place game victory.

2012 Maui Invitational Odds @ WagerWeb Sportsbook (as of 11/11/12):
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Butler Bulldogs 8 to 1
Chaminade Silverswords 500 to 1
Illinois Fighting Illini 3 to 1
Marquette Golden Eagles 5 to 1
Mississippi State Bulldogs 12 to 1
North Carolina Tar Heels 1.50 to 1
Texas Longhorns 1.75 to 1
USC Trojans 8 to 1