Marquette Set To Open EA Sports Maui Invitational Monday
MAUI, Hawaii -- The Marquette University men's basketball team has reached the eve of its opening matchup with host Chaminade in the 2007 EA Sports Maui Invitational, wrapping up practice sessions Sunday morning at Lahainaluna High School in Maui.
The Marquette travel party arrived late Friday night local time and has worked out each of the past two mornings. The Golden Eagles and Silverswords open tournament action at 9:30 a.m. with a second round matchup with either LSU or Oklahoma State on Tuesday.
The squad has been busy acclimating to the time change and the early tip time against Chaminade. The Westin Maui serves as the team headquarters and hosted the tournament press conference with each of the participating head coaches Sunday morning. The coaches also participated in a charity free throw contest prior to MU's morning workout.
"We know this is an incredible field and tremendous opportunity," head coach Tom Crean said. "The chance to play three games in three days and evaluate where we are at and what we need to build on is invaluable."
Saturday night was highlighted by a 16-player EA Sports March Madness '08 tournament, featuring two players from each school. MU's Lawrence Blackledge and Maurice Acker, who battled for Marquette's qualifying championship, represented the team. Acker cruised to the title matchup before falling to Jon Scheyer of Duke in the first-place game. Missed shots and some questionable no calls by the officiating crew proved to be too much to overcome. Blackledge was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Sunday night will included a team photo and the annual tip-off dinner before the team finalized preparations for its tourney opener. The player have also had a good amount of free time to visit the beach and numerous pools located at the Westin.
Monday's game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 at 1:30 p.m. CT and the radio broadcast will be available on ESPN 1510 AM/1290 AM in Milwaukee and the rest of the MU Radio Network.
Audio:
http://all-access.cstv.com/cstv/player/player.html?code=marq&sport=m-baskbl&category=Press%20Conference%20%28MediaType%29&media=51949
http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111807aaa.html