Maui Invitational Odds, Picks | Bets for Wednesday

On the final day of the Maui Invitational, we have two more top-10 matchups and Gonzaga vs. UCLA.

So, with that in mind, here's your one-stop shop for all Maui Invitational odds and picks, including four bets for the tournament's final day on Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Maui Invitational Odds, Picks

By Doug Ziefel

Yesterday, we saw both of these teams suffer their first losses of the season. The Tennessee Volunteers dropped a tight one to Purdue, and the Jayhawks lost by 14 to a surging Marquette team.

Now the two are set to meet in the third-place game of the Maui Invitational. You can bet both clubs are raring to get back on track, but since that isn't an actual wager, we must choose a side.

There's one side with an edge heading into this matchup.

The Vols showed an extra wrinkle to their offense yesterday, as they were able to keep the game tight against Purdue down the stretch by sinking shots from beyond the arc.

Much of that atypical perimeter shooting came from having to contend with the Boilermakers' zone and Zach Edey protecting the rim, but their confidence should be up.

However, they may cool off mightily in this matchup, as Kansas presents a lot more problems than Purdue did yesterday. For starters, Tennessee will have to contend with another seven-footer in the paint, but it will also face much more length on the perimeter.

The Jayhawks consist of a rare mixture of size and experience, which has shown on the defensive end of the floor. They enter this matchup sixth in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency and have done an excellent job of contesting shots at all three levels.

Given the lack of size in the paint and the sharp decrease in open looks from the outside, the offensive outlook for Tennessee in this matchup is not too bright.

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When you look at the box score, it's surprising to see that Kansas lost by the margin it did to Marquette. All in all, the Jayhawks didn't shoot much worse, they weren't outrebounded by a large margin and they had fewer fouls.

The difference in last night's matchup was turnovers, which allowed Marquette to go on a big run and ultimately created a hole the Jayhawks couldn't dig themselves out of.

However, in this matchup against Tennessee, the Jayhawks could model their scheme after Purdue's while having even more success.

Much like the Boilermakers, it all starts in the middle for Kansas with Hunter Dickinson. The 7-foot-2 center is going to be a problem for the Vols, as he's much more skilled offensively than Edey.

Tennessee doesn't have the size to contend with Dickinson, and his ability to pass could prove deadly in this matchup. The Jayhawks are first in the nation in assist-to-field-goals-made ratio, so if the Vols overcommit to the paint, the likes of Kevin McCullar Jr. and Dajuan Harris Jr. will be waiting on the perimeter.

While both clubs are certainly stewing after yesterday's losses, it's clear which side is poised to bounce back. The Jayhawks are the more complete team here.

They can defend all three levels of the court well and have a massive edge in the paint as they run their offense through Dickinson.

Back the Jayhawks to get back on track.

Pick: Kansas -1 (Play to 2.5)

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By Scott Schaeffer

Purdue and Marquette have certainly been the best two teams during the first couple of days in Hawaii, setting up a thrilling championship bout.

Tyler Kolek outdueled DaJuan Harris as a facilitator in the semifinal matchup against Kansas. While Zach Edey spent much of Purdue's semifinal matchup on the bench in foul trouble, Fletcher Loyer stepped up to propel Purdue to an impressive win.

This Hawaiian championship will be a clash of styles, and it will be fascinating to see which style will be the victorious one.

This isn't the same Purdue team from last March.

The Boilermakers may take a while to cleanse their reputation after losing to Fairleigh Dickinson in the NCAA Tournament. But this year, they've proven they're more than a one-man show.

In their second seasons as Boilermakers, guards Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith have shown they're ready to turn the page.

Both played dreadfully against FDU last March. They were a significant reason Purdue lost in upset fashion, failing to handle the pressure and tempo from the Knights' backcourt.

In wins against Gonzaga and Tennessee the past two days, Loyer and Smith have looked like different players.

The defensive intensity Gonzaga and Tennessee played with will only be the appetizer to the intensity Shaka Smart's Golden Eagles play with.

Marquette hounded a usually poised DaJuan Harris and his Jayhawk teammates, forcing nearly 20 turnovers with relentless pressure. As Jay Bilas mentioned on the broadcast, this version of Marquette plays more like his VCU teams than any of his Texas teams ever did.

Still, the Boilermakers boast one unique advantage against any opponent they will face this season: last season's National Player of the Year, Zach Edey.

Edey is just a bigger, better version of Hunter Dickinson, whom Marquette just bested in the semifinal. Edey will look to avoid the foul trouble he faced against Tennessee and stay on the court, giving them a rebounding and size advantage against Marquette.

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Marquette has shown as much potential as any team in the country.

Frankly, the Golden Eagles didn't play well Monday against UCLA, yet still snuck out with a win. The best effort of their season came the following night against Kansas, a game they controlled throughout.

Sean Jones was only Marquette's seventh man against Kansas, but his performance stood out. The Jayhawks couldn't keep up with his bursting speed, and he consistently drove downhill in a blink with a defender on his hip. Jones was called the fastest player in college basketball by his coach. If he legs are still fresh, his speed and dribble-drive penetration could cause problems for Purdue.

When briefly previewing the Marquette matchup with Purdue, Jay Bilas mentioned the size advantage the Boilermakers will have. The implication is that Purdue will have an edge in rebounding and paint scoring.

However, the same could have been said for Kansas against Marquette. Dickinson gathered 21 rebounds against Kentucky, and KJ Adams and Kevin McCullar are excellent rebounders at their positions.

Yet, the Golden Eagles bothered Kansas with on-ball pressure and active hands, deflecting passes and creating turnovers, preventing Kansas from getting shots on the rim.

Marquette isn't deep on the bench, as Shaka prefers to play only eight or nine players. It's fair to question whether the Golden Eagles' legs may tire when they take the court for their third game in three days.

However, I'd expect the opportunity to knock off the country's No. 1 and 2 teams in consecutive days should provide Marquette with plenty of motivation and energy.

If Oso Ighodaro plays at a similar level as he did against Kansas, Marquette can contain Edey and the Boilermakers. What Ighodaro lacks in size, he makes up for in his ability to time his jump when blocking shots. He is much more mobile than Edey, and I suspect he'll play confidently after a stellar performance against the Jayhawks.

A popular pick will be the Under, as both teams are playing their third game in three days.

However, I lean in a different direction.

Marquette's wins have been more impressive than Purdue's, given they erased a deficit against UCLA and then dominated the No. 1 team in the country.

But I'm fading Marquette's momentum and betting Purdue here.

Purdue is on a mission to erase last season's FDU debacle. The Boilers pulled away from worthy opponents in each of their Maui games.

I expect them to do the same in the final, building the confidence that this is a new and improved Purdue.

Pick: Purdue -3

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By Greg Waddell

When Syracuse and Chaminade meet in the seventh-place game on the final day of the Maui Invitational, it will be a battle between two teams that may have known this was coming.

Chaminade certainly isn't surprised to be here, with losses to Kansas and UCLA. The Silverswords have been more competitive than expected though, and can be proud of their showing as the home team at the event.

Syracuse, on the other hand, is likely a bit disappointed with its results. The Orange weren't expected to come away with wins against Tennessee or Gonzaga — both teams have more complete rosters than Syracuse has — but their second-half performances were uninspiring to say the least.

A third loss here for Syracuse would be a total disaster, and Judah Mintz and JJ Starling will do their best to avoid it and end on a high note, however small it may be.

But the question is, will any of the Orange's supporting cast show up to help them?

On paper, Syracuse possesses one of the most talented backcourts in the country. Mintz is an NBA talent and he's the type of player who can single-handedly win you a basketball game. Mintz is averaging 21.2 points per game through five games this season and tacking on four assists to go with it.

With him in the Syracuse backcourt is Starling, a former five-star recruit who transferred in from Notre Dame. Starling operates as Syracuse’s “point guard," but when things break down, the ball usually finds itself in Mintz’s hands with everyone else getting out of the way.

Mintz and Starling were both good enough to win against Gonzaga, but it was the Syracuse supporting case that let the team down. Chris Bell made just two of his 18 shot attempts and just one of his 10 3s.

Syracuse has been unable to play a full, high-level 40-minute game. In 10 halves this season, Syracuse has been outscored in exactly half of them, and in Maui, the Orange have been outclassed, losing all four halves they've played.

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Chaminade kept things mostly competitive in its opener against Kansas, winning hustle plays and crashing the offensive boards. The Silverswords will have no talent or size advantage anywhere on the floor in this game, but effort and togetherness will not be a question for Chaminade.

Against UCLA, in its second game in the event, Chaminade gave up a 28-4 run at the start. While that stretch shows just how much talent discrepancy was present in that game, Chaminade immediately rattled off a 17-8 run of its own over the final 10 minutes of the first half.

There will be no quit from this Silverswords team. That's rarely enough to win in an event like this, but it may be enough to hang with a Syracuse team that we just can't say the same about based on its last two performances.

Motivation may be a factor in this one, as Chaminade has shown it won’t go away even in the middle of a blowout.

Syracuse’s shot selection and effort defensively leaves a lot to be desired.

Take Chaminade to cover, whenever a line gets released.

Pick: Chaminade Spread

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By Greg Waddell

This has to be one of the most impressive fifth-place consolation bracket games in college basketball tournament history, as Gonzaga and UCLA meet in what should be a wildly entertaining game.

On paper, this matchup feels more like a “championship” game than a consolation bracket nightcap. There's been a lot to like from both squads in the first two days of this tournament, but unfortunately for both programs, this field was absolutely loaded.

Gonzaga outplayed Purdue for the first 20 minutes of its opening game, before following up its impressive start with a trouncing of Syracuse. The Zags love to play fast, and their guard duo of Nolan Hickman and Ryan Nembhard appears to be one of the best in the country.

UCLA has size and skill everywhere. Despite its youth, these Bruins are no babies. Adem Bona, Aday Mara and Berke Buyuktuncel make up one of the most versatile front lines in college basketball this year.

The Bruins will try and slow this game down and make it a half-court contest, and Gonzaga will do the opposite.

The contrast in styles — plus the talent on both teams — will make this an incredibly fun way to end the Maui Invitational.

For Gonzaga, it starts with the aforementioned duo of Nembhard and Hickman. Mark Few brought in Nembhard from Creighton to run the show at the point guard position, and his presence has instantly made a difference, especially for Hickman, who looks much more comfortable hunting shots off the ball.

Gonzaga is a balanced, talented squad. In addition to the guards, Graham Ike and Anton Watson are a quality pairing in the frontcourt, and on any given night, one of these four players could be the best player on the floor.

It was Hickman and Ike in the blowout win against Syracuse. They combined for 35 points and paced the Zags to a dominant performance.

Depth is a concern, as Gonzaga doesn’t have much off the bench. Three games in three days may finally wear the Bulldogs down.

The other question is shooting; the Zags are making just 28% of their 3-point shots as a team. UCLA guards the 3 well, and if Gonzaga’s shooting woes continue, it may be a long night.

UCLA also outplayed a top-five team in Marquette.

The Bruins’ defense is their strength, ranking 14th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency coming into this game.

While the frontcourt deserves first mention for UCLA, the Bruins also have talented guards that aren’t afraid of the big moment.

Freshman guard Sebastian Mack was the best player on the floor in the Marquette game (an impressive feat considering Tyler Kolek and Kam Jones were the matchup). Mack finished with 25 points on 13 shots and made all 13 of his free throws.

Like Gonzaga, UCLA is making just 28% of its shots from outside the arc. If this game comes down to shot making, it will truly be a toss-up.

Gonzaga enters as 4.5-point favorites here, and while I could certainly see it winning, the value feels like it's with the Bruins.

Physically, UCLA will advantages at most positions on the floor, and Gonzaga’s depth concerns will finally come back to bite it while playing its third game in three days.

I love UCLA to cover, and take it all the way down to +4.

Pick: UCLA +4.5 (Play to +4)

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