Do you love college basketball? Thinking you may be in Hawaii over Thanksgiving weekend? If you answered yes to both of these questions, there are few better opportunities to combine collegiate athletics and beautiful beaches than by attending the Maui Invitational Tournament from November 24-26 this year. The tournament, which has a long standing tradition of inviting teams that do very well during post-season March Madness, will take place this year Lahaina Civic Center on Maui. Past participants in the tournament have won 56 of the last 69 NCAA championships and spectators are guaranteed some exciting pre-season basketball games. This year’s participants include Alabama, Charmindale, North Carolina, Indiana, Notre Dame, Oregon, St. Joseph’s and Texas.
In addition to great basketball, tournament goers can also participate in the 5th Annual Thanksgiving Day Golf tournament on Nov. 27. Players, coaches and other basketball enthusiasts will be competing at Ka’anapali Golf Course. Though not cheap (but is golf ever cheap?) the $250 entry fee for individuals or $900 entry fee for a foursome, will include your course fees and golf cart, range balls, golf tee, logoed balls with your favorite team and a buffet breakfast. The two best scores on every hole will determine the best gross score and there will also be competitions for longest drive, closest to the pin and most spirited golf cart. So, if golf is your thing, this could be an ideal opportunity to hit the course in Maui while rooting on your alma mater. 
Visitors interested in going the all-inclusive/no hassle way (though more expensive) should look into some of the package deals associated with the tournament through the official host hotels of the tournament, which include the Hyatt at Ka’ananapli Beach, The Sheraton-Maui, or the Westin-Maui. about these travel package deals can be found at the Oahu Travel Inc. Web site here.
If are still interested in a great Maui vacation and catching a few basketball games/rooting on your team, but aren’t sure if you have the dough for the all-inclusive packages, you can also just buy game tickets separately and either camp somewhere on the island, stay in a cheaper motel, or even find a great, inexpensive rental property. More ticket information can be found at the EA Sports Maui Invitational homepage here.
