MSU hoops to play in 2019 Maui Invitational

For the first time since 2010, Michigan State men’s basketball will be heading back to Maui.

Michigan State will headline a dynamite field in the 2019 Maui Invitational, it was announced Tuesday.

The Spartans will be joined by Kansas, UCLA and Georgia (now coached by Tom Izzo’s good buddy, Tom Crean), as well as Virginia Tech, BYU, Dayton and tournament host Chaminade. All told, that’s a field that features 198 NCAA Tournament appearances, 44 Final Fours and 16 national championships.

This will mark Michigan State’s fifth appearance in the holiday tournament, set for Nov. 25-27, 2019, at the Lahaina Civic Center.

The Spartans also played there in 2010, 2005, 1995 and 1991, winning the championship in 1991.

Michigan was in Maui back in November, and went 2-1, with an opening loss to LSU. Michigan now is in the Final Four.

The last two seasons Michigan State played in Maui (2010, 2005), it suffered first-round NCAA Tournament losses (2011, 2006).

The 2018 Maui Invitational will feature Arizona, Auburn, Duke, Gonzaga, Illinois, Iowa State, San Diego State and Xavier.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

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