A tale of two Tigers
Seven-month-old North Carolina fan, Nina Martin, wears protective headphones while taking in Tuesday night's semifinal game between the Tar Heels and Auburn in noisy Lahaina Civic Center. Her parents said they met at Chapel Hill while attending the University of North Carolina.
By Matthew Thayer
Even before the Maui Invitational championship final starts, it is guaranteed that Tigers will win the title. The only question is, will it be the Tigers from Memphis or the Tigers from Auburn?
Memphis and Auburn punched tickets to the championship game with statement wins over legendary programs Tuesday.
Memphis used its length and athleticism, as well as the outstanding shooting of guard Tyrese Hunter, to defeat Michigan State, 71-63, in the day’s first semifinal game. Hunter scored a game-high 23 points, many of those in the face of a smothering Spartan defense.
Auburn took down North Carolina in the day’s second semifinal, 85-72. The championship game is scheduled to be played Wednesday, Nov. 27, at noon HST.
Memphis' Colby Rogers is guarded closely by Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. as he drives in the second half.
In the consolation bracket, Colorado squeaked by two-time defending National Champion UConn, 73-72, and Iowa State topped Dayton, 89-84. For No. 2 UConn it was the second Maui Invitational loss in a row, sending the Huskies to the seventh-place game against a tough Dayton team with a chance to finish last in the tourney.
Auburn's Johni Broome out-jumps North Carolina's Jalen Washington to win the opening tipoff at the start of their semifinal game at Lahaina Civic Center. Broome scored a game-high 23 points for the Tigers.
Auburn's Tahaad Pettiford drives on North Carolina's Jalen Washington in the first half.
A first-half dunk by Tar Heel Jalen Washington electrifies the North Carolina fans at Lahaina Civic Center Tuesday night.
Ball boy Braxton Kava, 9, spins a ball on his finger during the halftime break in Maui Invitational semifinal game between Memphis and Michigan State. Kava is a third grader at Kamalii Elementary School. His dad said he learned trick only last week.
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl exhorts his layer in the first half against North Carolina.
Auburn’s Chad Baker-Mazara shoots over North Carolina’s Seth Trimble.
Memphis center Moussa Cisse throws down a dunk against Michigan State in the first half.
Memphis fans try to put the hex on a Michigan State player as he shoots a foul shot.
Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway calls out to his players in the second half.
Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. drives for a first-half basket against Memphis.
Lahaina Civic Center is packed for Tuesday's first semifinal game between Memphis and Michigan State. It has been a full house for every game played this year.
Michigan State's Tre Holloman dribbles upcourt against Memphis.
Memphis guard Tyrese Hunter drives in front of Michigan State's Carson Cooper in the first half. Hunter poured in 23 points to lead his team in scoring as the Tigers defeated the Spartans, 71-63, to reach the Maui Invitational championship final.
Iowa State's Keshon Gilbert drives to score a crucial late basket to help seal the Cyclones' 89-84 win over Dayton in the day's second consolation bracket game at Lahaina Civic Center. Gilbert scored a game-high 23 points.
Dayton's Zed Key dunks late in the second quarter against Iowa State to score two of his 15 points.