<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) -- Duke will look to add to its record three Maui Invitational titles when it plays in the 2007 tournament. The Blue Devils won the Maui Invitational in 1992, 1997 and 2001, their only appearances in the tournament sponsored by EA Sports. Joining Duke and host Chaminade in the 2007 field are Arizona State, Illinois, LSU, Marquette, Oklahoma State and Princeton.</div> http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/bask...7.ap/index.html
That lineup is relatively weak in terms of 2007 talent. This year you've got three top five teams in Maui: Connecticut, Michigan State, and Gonzaga. I don't think that any of those teams scheduled for '07 will be a top five team next year. Duke will lose J.J. Redick, Shelden Williams, and possibly Josh McRoberts, and that's their core. Oklahoma State is the best team in that field, especially if they can keep Keith Brumbaugh from trying to make the jump to the NBA again this year. With Brumbaugh, Eaton, Curry, Flemings, and Cooper, they'd have a starting lineup of NBA caliber sophomores and juniors. Probable McDonald's All-American Jai Lucas is also likely to pick Oklahoma State; so they're in good shape for '07.
