Points are being put up in a hurry at the Maui Invitational. Monday’s opening round saw the seven D1 teams in the field average 83.7 points per game, with Notre Dame and Wichita State each hitting the 90s.
Scoring is up in college basketball, but it’s not up that much. It’s led to a popular (and obvious) observation for those watching the tournament: The rims at the Lahaina Civic Center are soft. If MLB can juice the baseballs, college basketball can juice the rims.
LSU freshman Tremont Waters got an incredible bounce here:
Cal’s Justice Sueing needs to praise the Maui rims for this one:
Cal’s Juhwan Harris-Dyson thought he left this free throw short by six inches, but still got the roll:
Here’s VCU’s Malik Crowfield rattling in a three:
Wichita State star Landry Shamet should have bricked this floater:
A lot of people have noticed this:
The rims at the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui are soft.
— Andrew Kahn (@AndrewKahn) November 20, 2017
I want pillows as soft as the rims at the Lahaina Civic Center.
— Chris Dobbertean (@ChrisDobbertean) November 20, 2017
The soft rims in Maui are one of college basketball’s great traditions.
— Dark McGwire (@Dark_McGwire) November 21, 2017
Soft rims in Maui @VegasPointBlank. The 1st two games went over ...
— Mitch Moss (@MitchMossRadio) November 21, 2017
I feel like the real start of college basketball isn't until the Maui Invitational tips off. The greatest rims in the world, and there isn't a close 2nd.
— Matt Gollnick (@Attyg3) November 20, 2017
These Maui Invitational rims seem extra forgiving.
— Greg Brown (@itsGregB) November 21, 2017
The over hit on three of the four games in the opening round. The seven D1 teams combined to hit 36.7 percent of their threes, which is especially impressive considering how Wichita State (6 of 25) and Michigan (6 of 23) struggled from deep.
As the second round kicks off on Tuesday, remember kids: shooters shoot. The odds are in your favor.
To follow the Maui Invitational, keep it locked to our living post for schedule and results.