Courtesy: Associated Press

MAUI, Hawai'i - The EA SPORTS Maui Invitational announced Tuesday the official bracket for the 2007 tournament, headlined by a first round match up between Duke and Princeton at 9 p.m. ET Monday, Nov. 19. Marking its 24th year, the eight-team competition will return to Maui’s Lahaina Civic Center, located less than 1,000 yards from the Pacific Ocean.

Seven NCAA Division I teams and host Chaminade University of Honolulu will ignite the college hoops season Nov. 19-21 with hopes of winning the coveted EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Wayne Duke Championship Trophy. ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU will again combine to offer live television coverage of all 12 tournament games. In addition, ESPN360 will provide live simulcasts of the games televised on ESPN and ESPN2.

“Year after year, the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational ushers in the college basketball season with marquee fields,” Tournament Chairman Dave Gavitt said. “Basketball fans are in store for another strong tournament field featuring highly ranked teams when Maui becomes the mecca of college basketball this November.”

First-round action tips off Monday, Nov. 19, with the first game featuring Chaminade taking on Marquette at 2:30 p.m. The winner of the tournament opener will face the winner of LSU and Oklahoma State (5 p.m.). The third game features three-time Maui champion Duke against Princeton (9 p.m.). The Blue Devils are a perfect 9-0 at the Maui Invitational, winning championships in 1992-93, 1997-98 and 2001-02. That winner will face the winner of Arizona State and Illinois (11:30 p.m.).

The semifinals are set for Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., with the winners moving onto the championship game Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 10 p.m.

The field features three teams that won National Championships (Duke, Marquette and Oklahoma State) and one more who has been a national runner-up (Illinois).  Duke, Marquette and Illinios are all entering the 2007-08 season after advancing to the 2007 NCAA Tournament last season. 

Remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at 3 p.m. via the tournament website (www.mauiinvitational.com).  Tickets are also available through Oahu Travel, the official tournament travel agency, at 800.826.3822. In addition, tickets for the tournament’s Tip-Off Banquet and space for the 4th Annual EA SPORTS Maui Golf Invitational are available.