4/4/2023
Flyers Will Be Making Their Fifth Appearance In The Island Classic
OFFICIAL RELEASE
MAUI, Hawai’i – Continuing its commitment to enhancing the non-conference schedule and increasing national exposure, the University of Dayton Flyers will play in the 2024 Maui Jim Maui Invitational, it was announced today.
The 2024 Maui Jim Maui Invitational field showcases a collection of programs that boasts a combined 218 NCAA Tournament appearances, 45 Final Four berths and 13 national championships.
Dayton will be joined by Auburn, Colorado, Iowa State, Memphis, Michigan State, North Carolina and 2023 national champion UConn for the 41st annual Tournament, which will be contested Nov. 25-27 at the historic Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui.
“There is simply no other early-season college basketball tournament that rivals the spirit, talent and overall ‘magic’ of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational,” said Tournament Chairman, Dave Odom. “The 2024 field is not only going to bring top tier programs representing eight of the most dominant conferences in the sport, but also fans from all corners of the country…This Tournament experience is on every college basketball fan’s bucket list – and this loaded 2024 field is going to make it hard to resist.”
The Flyers will make their fifth Maui Jim Maui Invitational appearance. Dayton previously played in 2000, 2003, 2013 and 2019.
Dayton is 9-3 in its previous appearances at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. In 2000, UD placed in third after upsetting No. 12 UConn and No. 6 Maryland. In 2003, the UD won the tournament title after knocking off Central Michigan, San Diego State and Hawai’i. The Flyers placed in third again in 2013 with victories over No. 12 Gonzaga and Cal. In 2019, Dayton was second, falling in overtime in the finals to fourth-ranked Kansas.
The 2024 Maui Jim Maui Invitational will be the 16th exempt tournament the Flyers have been a part of since 2008 (the Covid season was skipped). Although the field has not yet been announced, UD will also play in the 2023 Charleston Classic.
Since the inception of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational in 1984, teams that have participated in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational throughout the event’s history own 71 of the 82 NCAA Division I Basketball Championships. Six schools have gone on to win the National Championship after competing in Maui earlier in the season.
All-Tournament travel packages and school Booster travel packages for the 2024 Maui Jim Maui Invitational will be available at a later date. For more information on the Tournament, please visit mauiinvitational.com.
COURTESY DAYTON MEDIA RELATIONS
