Sixteeen Nike-sponsored universities from eight college conferences are getting closer to creating a branded tournament as a tribute to Nike co-founder Phil Knight in 2017, ESPN reported yesterday. The names, as expected, are some of the biggest headliners in college basketball — Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky included. Technically, it will be two eight-team tournaments because NCAA rules prohibit two teams from the same conference playing at the same regular-season tournament. Working around that means the party for Knight’s 80th birthday is ready to go, as long as it can find a TV partner (and ESPN is very interested). Read More »

College basketball analysts and experts love teams with experience. A team full of seniors represents the ultimate college basketball team for many. The Connecticut Huskies, however, are defying the odds.

Led by New York native Kemba Walker, the Huskies have shown what they are capable of at the Maui Invitational by knocking off Michigan State and Kentucky. Their supporting cast consists of Alex Oriakhi, Charles Okwandu, Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, Donnell Beverly, and five freshmen. Read More »

A mere 1,000 yards from the Pacific Ocean, an eight-team field is taking center court in the 27th edition of the EA Sports Maui Invitational. This year’s tournament showcases an elite lineup of teams, including former national champions Connecticut, Kentucky and Michigan State, as well as Oklahoma, Virginia, Washington, Wichita State and host school Chaminade University. With the action tipping off today, check out the Nike Hyperdunk 2010 – which comes with eight different laces representing the field that will be on the hardwood. Read More »