Game #35. We’re back in Maui for a championship game that was perhaps unexpected, but should still be rocking the Lahaina Civic Center off its foundation.
Coming into the 2010 Maui Invitational, it was supposed to be a battle between Spartans and Dogs for the championship of the island tournament. Well, that’s the beauty of tournament hoopin’ — teams have to play their way into the next round by actually winning games (well, sometimes). So we’re left here in Lahaina with two somewhat unexpected entrants: Jim Calhoun’s UConn Huskies led by a mercurial guard who has seemingly realized his superb potential; and John Calipari’s too-young-to-know-better Kentucky Wildcats, a group of long, athletic athletes who hustle that have impressed everyone that’s gotten a chance to watch them so far. Sometimes tournament basketball throws you a loop and you end up with a game you never expected (or perhaps looked like the Consolation Game), but with the two wily veterans on the sideline — a pair that isn’t especially fond of the other — it should be another great afternoon here in the islands as RTC Live will be back courtside. Join us for what promises to be another fantastic matchup.