Posted on: Sunday, November 23, 2003
Chaminade, Hawai'i downplay home edge
| • | Maui Invitational Capsules |
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Ask the Chaminade or University of Hawai'i men's basketball teams, and they'll say there are no home teams in the EA Sports Maui Invitational.
Ask the other six teams in this year's field, and they'll say there are two home teams — Chaminade and Hawai'i.
"We have definitely recognized that we are in that Chaminade matchup that lends itself to history, so we're very concerned," Villanova head coach Jay Wright said.
The Wildcats have drawn the dreaded — yet respected — first-round game with Chaminade tomorrow. Traditionally, the Silverswords play the best team in the field on opening day.
Chaminade of Honolulu is the host of the prestigious Maui Invitational, even though the tournament is played in Lahaina.
"Technically, I guess we're the home team," Chaminade head coach Aaron Griess said. "But it obviously hasn't been any advantage."
Chaminade is 3-49 in Maui Invitational games. The Silverswords are still recognized for their monumental upset of then-No. 1 Virginia in 1982. That game created some of the impetus for the first Maui Invitational in 1984.
Hawai'i is participating in the Maui Invitational for the first time and will play Santa Clara in the first round tomorrow.
"There is no advantage for us," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "It's a short trip, but it's still a trip."
But Santa Clara head coach Dick Davey joked: "I'm sure the officials won't be wearing hula skirts or anything like that."
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
