Cougars to play in 2014 EA Sports Maui Invitational

MAUI, Hawaii – The 2014 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational® hosted by Chaminade again promises to showcase the best in college basketball featuring a field of some of the biggest names in the sport. In total, participating schools in the 2014 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational have earned 162 NCAA Tournament appearances, 10 Final Four appearances and won 136 conference championships. The 2014 field features Arizona, BYU, Chaminade, Kansas State, Missouri, Purdue, Pittsburgh and San Diego State.

“The 2014 field promises to be a great one. With accomplished programs in Arizona, Missouri, Purdue and Pittsburgh and emerging teams including BYU and San Diego State, the 2014 tournament will feature fierce competition,” said Tournament Chairman Dave Odom. “This is one of the deepest and most balanced fields we’ve ever had.”

2014 Championship Round Teams

Arizona: The 2014 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational will be the Arizona Wildcats’ sixth appearance – which will tie them for most all time with 2012 participant North Carolina. Arizona has competed in three Championship games – winning in 2000, as well as 1993 and 1997 when the team finished in second place. Arizona holds the distinction of reaching the NCAA Tournament for 25 consecutive years from 1985-2009 (including four Final Fours).  The Wildcats have earned 28 total NCAA Tournament appearances and won 25 conference titles.

BYU: The Cougars will participate in their third EA SPORTS Maui Invitational in 2014 – with the team’s best finish coming in 1992 as the runner-up. BYU has enjoyed a resurgence of the program in recent years with six-straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2007-2012, including a visit to the Sweet Sixteen in 2011. BYU has earned 27 all-time NCAA Tournament appearances and won 29 conference titles.

Chaminade: Chaminade, host University and participants in each EA SPORTS Maui Invitational since 1984, the Silverswords have earned three NCAA Division II Tournament appearances and won three Pac-West Conference championships – most recently in 2011.

Kansas State: 2014 will mark the third appearance for the Wildcats in the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational with the team’s best finish coming in 1985 as the runner-up. After an NCAA Tournament drought since 1996, Kansas State has earned appearances in four Tournaments since 2008 – reaching the Elite Eight in 2010. Kansas State has made the NCAA Tournament 26 times in the program’s history (including four Final Fours), while winning 17 conference titles.

Missouri: Champions of the 1989 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, the Tigers are making their fourth appearance at the Tournament in 2014. The Tigers, who recently moved to the SEC in July of 2012, have earned four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances while reaching the Elite Eight in 2009. Missouri has earned 24 all-time NCAA Tournament appearances while winning 15 conference titles.

Purdue: Participants in two previous EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Tournaments, the Boilermakers are the all-time leader in Big Ten Conference titles with 22 and celebrated their most recent Big Ten Conference Championship in 2010 under Coach Matt Painter. The team has also earned its way to 26 all-time NCAA Tournaments while making two Final Four appearances.

Pittsburgh: First ever participants in the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational in 2014, the Panthers are on a roll having appeared in 10 straight NCAA Tournaments from 2002-2011 and having won five of six early-season tournament championships from 2006-2012. Pittsburgh has made 23 all-time NCAA Tournament appearances and has won 10 conference titles. Pittsburgh will join the new 14-team ACC along with Syracuse in July, 2013.

San Diego State: The Aztecs, who will make their third appearance at the 2014 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, have enjoyed recent success under Coach Steve Fisher appearing in three straight NCAA Tournaments (2010-2012) and winning two straight (2011-2012) Mountain West Conference championships. San Diego State has earned eight all-time NCAA Tournament appearances and won 18 conference titles.

In all, 93 schools representing 21 conferences and 39 states have competed in the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, with participants having won an astounding 63 of 74 NCAA Championships and 59 of 74 national runners-up spots while comprising 243 of 296 Final Four teams.

The four Division I teams that will participate in the 2014 Opening Games and Regional Games, will be announced at a later date.

About EA SPORTS 

EA SPORTS™ is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world and 2012 marks its twelfth year as title sponsor of the Maui Invitational. With top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital experiences, EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA JAM, NCAA® Football, Fight Night boxing, EA SPORTS MMA, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, and EA SPORTS Active.

About Tournament Sponsors

Other tournament sponsors include the Maui Visitors Bureau, County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation, Hawaii Tourism Authority, adidas,  Geico, Hawaiian Airlines, Progressive, 5-Hour Energy and Reese’s. The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and Westin Maui Resort & Spa, all located in the beautiful Ka’anapali Beach Resort area, serve as host hotels.

About Chaminade University

Chaminade University, the only Catholic university in Hawaii, provides a rich educational experience. Chaminade is a place where people grow: professionally, intellectually and spiritually. The Society of Mary, the Marianists, founded Chaminade University in 1955 (as St. Louis Junior College.) Chaminade University offers its students an education in a collaborative learning environment that prepares them for life, service and successful careers.

About KemperLesnik

KemperLesnik is a sports marketing, events and public relations agency. Ranked by Crain's Chicago Business among Chicago's top PR agencies, KemperLesnik produces integrated communications programs and manages major national events, including the EA SPORTS™ Maui Invitational®, the McDonald’s All American® Games, the POWERADE® Jam Fest and activation for KitchenAid and its PGA of America partnership. KemperLesnik has operated the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational since 1990. For more information, visit www.kemperlesnik.com.