Illinois
W-L record: 1-1
Game results: Evansville – W, 99-60; Georgetown – L, 88-80
KenPom rank: 78
2017-18 W-L record & postseason: 14-18, none
Maui Invitational titles: one (2012)
Illinois is coming off a close home loss to Georgetown but will look to challenge for some victories on the island. Freshman Ayo Dosunmu is the Illini’s top player, a freshman out of Chicago. Brad Underwood‘s team could have some issues against the stronger and more experienced teams in this year’s field.
Iowa State
W-L record: 3-0
Game results: Alabama State – W, 79-53; Missouri – W, 76-59;
Texas Southern – W, 85-73
KenPom rank: 26
2017-18 W-L record & postseason: 13-18, none
Maui Invitational titles: none
Virginia transfer Marial Shayok has been excellent in Iowa State’s first three games, averaging 20 points and five rebounds per game. The Cyclones are in rebounding mode after last year’s tournament miss, the program’s first since 2011. Missing Lindell Wigginton (led team in scoring at 16.7 points per game in ’17-18) to a foot injury is a major obstacle for Steve Prohm’s team to overcome.
San Diego State
W-L record: 2-0
Game results: Arkansas Pine Bluff – W, 76-60; Texas Southern – W, 103-64
KenPom rank: 56
2017-18 W-L record & postseason: 22-11, NCAA Tournament (round of 64)
Maui Invitational titles: none
The Mountain West representative in this year’s field is led by second-year head coach Brian Dutcher. SDSU faces off against No. 1 Duke on Monday, one of the toughest challenges in program history. Super sophomores Jalen McDaniels and Matt Mitchell team up with senior guards Devin Watson and Jeremy Hemsley in search of quality victories to add to the squad’s tournament resume.
Xavier
W-L record: 2-1
Game results: IUPUI – W, 82-69; Evansville – W, 91-85;
Wisconsin – L, 77-68
KenPom rank: 69
2017-18 W-L record & postseason: 29-6, NCAA Tournament (round of 32)
Maui Invitational titles: none
With Chris Mack now on the Louisville sidelines, Travis Steele guides the Musketeers into his first major non-conference tournament as head coach. Xavier was a No. 1 seed last season but was bounced in the second round by Florida State. Playmaker Naji Marshall is the go-to guy to watch, while San Jose State transfer Ryan Welage (12 points per game) starts in the Xavier frontcourt.
Eli Boettger is the lead basketball writer at Mountain West Wire. He’s covered Mountain West basketball since 2015 and his work has been featured on Bleacher Report, NBC Sports, SB Nation, Yahoo Sports, MSN, and other platforms. Boettger is a current USBWA member.
