Start Making Maui Plans

Start making your Maui plans, but don’t rush them. Indiana will play in the Maui Invitational , but not until November of 2008. Also in the field will be North Carolina, Notre Dame, Alabama, Oregon, Saint Jospeh’s, Texas and Chaminade. The event will run Nov. 24-26.

The Hoosiers could have a heck of a team if forward D.J. White (pictured) and guard Eric Gordon are around for it, although given the ever-present NBA lure, who knows. Yes, we know it's early to be talking NBA and Gordon, who is still a high school senior, but then, when you're dealing with elite prep players, is the NBA ever far from the mind.

Anyway, IU won the Maui title in 2002 behind freshman Bracey Wright’s MVP performance. The Hoosiers have an 8-4 record in the event. North Carolina has won the Maui Invitational twice (1999 and ’04) and has a 10-2 record.

If you like your plans a little more timely, consider that IU’s game at Northwestern has been set for Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. It will be televised by ESPN2.

Finally, if you just can’t wait to see the Hoosiers, they will play again Saturday at noon against Michigan. Even with a victory, their stay in the rankings is likely to end next week, courtesy of Tuesday’s loss at Illinois.

But don’t sweat it. They are a victory over No. 2 Wisconsin away from returning to the polls. Those teams play next week Assembly Hall.