Utah Basketball Reportedly Invited To Play In 2027 Maui Invitational
Oct 11, 2025, 2:28 PM
SALT LAKE CITY— In a move that has Utah basketball fans buzzing, the Runnin’ Utes are reportedly set to join the 2027 Southwest Maui Invitational, marking their first appearance in the prestigious tournament since 1998.
This inclusion places Utah among a select group of programs, including Georgetown, SMU, Saint Louis, Saint Mary’s, and Chaminade as reported by college basketball insider Jon Rothstein.
The field is not yet completely set, as there remain two open spots to fill.
RELATED: Utah Basketball Building New Identity Under Alex Jensen
𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿: 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟮
𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺: @WAFDbankFull Episode 👇https://t.co/ko2Qw6vHsh pic.twitter.com/s69ap01LCE
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) August 21, 2025
The Runnin’ Utes return to Maui Invitational
Utah’s history with the Maui Invitational is brief, with their most recent appearance in 1998, where they made it to the semifinals before falling to Indiana, 52-49. However, they finished 3rd after knocking off Michigan 71-54.
That year, the Utes were led by head coach Rick Majerus and standout players Andre Miller, Michael Doleac, and Alex Jensen. So, the program’s invite to return to Maui is yet another nod to Jensen and the Runnin’ Utes under Majerus.
In the words of the great Bill Walton, 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘐𝘵 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘔𝘢𝘯‼️
@terrencetbrown 🤝 @joshuahayes53 pic.twitter.com/DoJdNBuN49
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) October 11, 2025
What this means for Utah
For Utah, participating in the Maui Invitational is an opportunity to showcase the program on a significant stage. Since his hiring, Jensen has made clear his focus is on the long-term vision with his program, which makes the the invitation for 2027 rather interesting.
Jensen’s biggest order of business at Utah was assembling next season’s roster—which will essentially serve as the foundation for a genuine player-development program. With the 2025–26 lineup roster set, Jensen and his staff have cast a wide net on the recruiting trail for the high school classes of 2026 and 2027.
Utah will likely look quite different between now and the time the tournament begins. However, there should be an established brand, culture, and identity under Jensen.
RELATED: Utah Men’s Basketball 2025–26 Season Big 12 Schedule
Just 1⃣ week away from our exhibition game vs. Nevada!! Come meet the team and postgame autographs!
🗓️ Friday, Oct. 17
⏰ 7pm
🏟️ @HuntsmanCenter
🎟️ FREE GA Seating
🖋️ Postgame Autographs!
Buy SZN TIX ➡️ https://t.co/iWdRUpYYie#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/aDBMb2rPJu— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) October 10, 2025
Utah playing in the 2025 Acrisure Series
Plans are already being made for this college basketball season. Utah basketball will be competing in the Acrisure Series in Palm Desert, California, between November 25 and 28, during a jam-packed week of exciting non-conference matchups throughout college basketball.
The Acrisure Series is a multi-team event that started in 2023 and takes place every year in Acrisure Arena in the Cochella Valley, home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the AHL affiliate of the Seattle Kraken.
At the event, men’s and women’s games from both the invitational and series happen non-stop over the course of the event.
In both 2023 and 2024, only four teams have been invited, but the pool in 2025 will be expanded. Last year, the participants were USC, Saint Mary’s, New Mexico, and Arizona State.
This year, teams that have already accepted invites include Stanford, Washington, Tulsa, Northern Iowa, Santa Clara, San José State, CBU, San Diego, Nevada, and Loyola Chicago, with others still to be named.
