I have to admit, this is the day I have been waiting for.
No, I didn’t win the lottery, get my COVID-19 vaccination (that’s Saturday) or win free Starbucks for life.
No, instead we found out that the Ohio State basketball team is headed to the land of mountains, rainbows, whales and sun. That’s right, the Buckeyes will take part in the Maui Invitational in 2022 against what will be a stacked field (per usual).
Queue up the travel plans.
It’s a part of a new philosophy under Chris Holtmann. Where his predecessor Thad Matta frowned upon traveling to exotic early season tournaments, Holtmann has embraced them. We’re not saying who is right, we’re just pointing out what’s more fun, and it’s clearly Holtmann’s mindset.
The tournament is set for Nov. 21-23 in 2022 at the Lahaina Center in Lahaina, Maui. Ohio State joins Arkansas, Arizona, Cincinnati, Creighton, Louisville, San Diego State and Texas Tech in what has become known as arguably the most prestigious and talent-laden early season tournament.
🏝 We’re headed to Maui!
Excited to join the Tournament Field for the 2022 @MauiInv
Read More: https://t.co/XtoQwG3m9j https://t.co/WlTBosQrYS
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) April 1, 2021
It’s a quick turn with teams playing three games in three days, but it’s too early for the matchups and game times to be set. It would be fun to see the two Ohio teams meet on the court, but we’ll have to see how that plays out.
It’ll be the first time the Buckeyes have taken part in the Maui Invitational since 2003. They also participated in the event in 1988 and 1993 and have never taken home the championship.
This is the second early season tournament announced in the last couple of days by the OSU hoops program. On Wednesday, Ohio State confirmed its participation in the Fort Myers Tipoff for this upcoming season.
