The Elon University men's basketball team will open their season against a two-time national runner-up and host four games in a prestigious season-opening tournament.
The university announced today that the Phoenix will take on Butler University, who lost the NCAA Championship Game in 2010 to Duke University and 2011 to the University of Connecticut, Nov. 10 in Indinapolis, Ind., in the Opening Games of the tournament. Butler is one of the "Island Teams," the teams that will play in Maui starting Nov. 19. The Island Teams include the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Texas and host Chaminade University.
[box]Elon Schedule in Maui Inivitational Nov. 10 @ Butler University (in Indianapolis, Ind.) Nov. 17 vs. Colgate University (in Elon, N.C.) Nov. 18 vs. TBD (in Elon, N.C.)[/box]
“It’s an honor to be associated with such a prestigious tournament as the Maui Invitational,” said Elon head coach Matt Matheny in a press release. "Opening up against a national power like Butler will be a great test for our program. We’re also very excited and fortunate to bring the Regional Games and three very good programs to our campus for the Mainland portion of the tournament.”
As part of the Mainland portion of the Invitational, Alumni Gym will host four games in the Regional Games Nov. 17-18. Elon will take on Colgate University and Florida Atlantic University will face Coppin State University Nov. 17. The winners of those games will play Nov. 18 for the championship of the Regional Games, while the losers will face off in the consolation game. Those four teams are the "Mainland Teams."
“We are excited to be part of such a storied tournament as the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational and to be part of a select group of schools chosen to host the Regional Games,” said Elon director of athletics Dave Blank, according to the press release. "It is a continued goal to present our student-athletes with opportunities to challenge some of the best competition in the nation and competing in the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational allows us to do that. We look forward to playing former national runner-up in Butler during the Opening Games and then showcasing the Regional Games on our home court.”