Sooners Will Open Maui Invitational against Kentucky

The two teams will play the first game of the eight-team tournament on Nov. 22.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:53 am

By: News On 6

Sooners Will Open Maui Invitational against Kentucky

Originally Published: Aug 5, 2010 1:44 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma – The bracket for the 2010 Maui Invitational men’s basketball tournament was announced Thursday, and Oklahoma will open play by taking on Kentucky.

The Sooners and Wildcats will face each other at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 22 and the game will be aired on ESPN2. Kentucky finished last season with a 35-3 record and achieved a No. 2 ranking in the final AP poll.

The Wildcats were eventually eliminated by West Virginia in the Elite Eight and had a total of five players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft in June.

"Kentucky will be a tremendous challenge for our young team," OU head coach Jeff Capel said in a statement. "They will be extremely talented and well-coached. Kentucky has one of the best traditions in college basketball and we know their fans will be there in full effect. We're excited to be a part of the Maui Invitational and look forward to the challenge."

The Sooners will be taking part in their fourth Maui Invitational, which is entering its 27th year. OU finished second in 1988, fifth in 1992 and seventh in 2006. The other teams taking part in this year’s event are Virginia, Washington, Wichita State, Connecticut, Michigan State and host Chaminade.