Auburn men’s basketball continues its difficult nonconference schedule on Monday, beginning a gauntlet of games in Hawaii for the Maui Invitational.

It’s the first time Auburn has played in the tournament since the 2018-2019 season, one where Auburn reached the Final Four. The Tigers took third place in Maui that year, beating Xavier and Arizona, but losing to Duke.

None of those three teams are in the field this season, but the bracket is stacked, nonetheless. Iowa State, North Carolina, Dayton, Memphis, UConn, Michigan State and Colorado make up the rest of the field along with Auburn.

Here’s a closer look at each team:

Auburn

Record: 4-0 (27-8 last season)

2023-24 Postseason finish: NCAA tournament first round

Player to watch: F Johni Broome (20 PPG, 11.3 RPG)

What to know

Auburn enters the Maui Invitational already with one of the best wins of the season, beating then-No. 4 Houston in Houston. Outside of the Houston game, Auburn is outscoring its opponents by an average of 35.6 points per game.

Broome is the most obvious player to watch, but Auburn’s depth makes it versatile on both ends of the court with guards like Denver Jones, Tahaad Pettiford and Miles Kelly who have all impressed early in the season

Iowa State

Record: 3-0 (29-8 last season)

2023-24 Postseason finish: NCAA tournament Sweet 16

Player to watch: G Keshon Gilbert (12.3 PPG, 7 APG)

What to know

Like Auburn, Iowa State is a top five team, but unlike Auburn, the Cyclones haven’t been tested yet. Its three victories have come against teams ranked No. 235 or lower in KenPom’s efficiency rankings. Iowa State is most known for its defense, ranking fourth in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.

North Carolina

Record: 3-1 (29-8 last season)

2023-24 Postseason finish: NCAA tournament Sweet 16

Player to watch: G RJ Davis (17.8 PPG, 4.5 APG)

What to know

North Carolina is another top 10 team coming into the tournament, with its only loss coming at No. 1 Kansas. The backcourt of Davis and sophomore Elliot Cadeau is what makes the Tarheels run, as the two average a combined 33.8 points per game.

Dayton

Record: 5-0 (25-8 last season)

2023-24 Postseason finish: NCAA tournament second round

Player to watch: G Enoch Cheeks (15 PPG, 8.3 RPG)

What to know

Dayton is coming off a successful 2023-2024 season and has started this season hot, winning five in a row. Its best win was a five-point victory of Northwestern and has played relatively overmatched competition in its other games. Three other players average double figures alongside Cheeks, including Zed Key (12 PPG), Nate Santos (11.2 PPG) and Malachi Smith (10 PPG).

Memphis

Record: 4-0 (22-10 last season)

2023-24 Postseason finish: AAC tournament second round

Player to watch: G PJ Haggerty (22.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG)

What to know

Memphis came into the 2024-2025 season as one of the best mid-major teams in the country, retooling its roster through the transfer portal over the offseason.

Newcomers such as Haggerty, Texas transfer Tyrese Hunter, Illinois transfer Dain Dainja and Wichita State transfer Colby Rogers are the Tigers’ biggest contributors. Three-point shooting is their biggest strength, ranking third in the country in 3-point percentage (45.9%)

UConn

Record: 4-0 (37-3 last season)

2023-24 Postseason finish: National Championship

Player to watch: F Alex Karaban (16.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG)

What to know

There’s been no more dominant program in men’s college basketball over the last two seasons, with the Huskies winning each of the last two national championships.

They’re another team with great depth, as four players average double figures. UConn has yet to be tested this season, though, having played no one ranked higher than No. 323 in KenPom’s efficiency ratings.

Michigan State

Record: 4-1 (20-15 last season)

2023-24 Postseason finish: NCAA tournament second round

Player to watch: G Jaden Akins (14.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG)

What to know

On the surface, Michigan State doesn’t quite seem on the level of bigger teams in the field like UConn or Auburn, but the Spartans are never an easy out. They were competitive with No. 1 Kansas in an eight-point loss, but its four wins came against weaker competition.

The Spartans are good defensively but are one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the country at 22.1%.

Colorado

Record: 4-0 (26-11 last season)

2023-24 Postseason finish: NCAA tournament second round

Player to watch: C Elijah Malone (14 PPG, 5.8 RPG)

What to know

Colorado enters the Maui Invitational as the lowest ranked team in the field, according to KenPom’s efficiency rankings. The Buffaloes have yet to beat anyone of note this season and needed two overtimes to beat Northern Colorado.

Malone is Colorado’s most efficient player, shooting 65.5% from the field and also contributing on defense, averaging 1.8 blocks per game.

Tournament schedule

All times central

Nov. 25

Game 1: Memphis vs. UConn, 1:30 p.m., ESPN2

Game 2: Colorado vs. Michigan State, 4 p.m., ESPN2

Game 3: Auburn vs. Iowa State, 8 p.m., ESPNU

Game 4: Dayton vs. North Carolina, 10:30 p.m., ESPN2

Nov. 26

Game 5: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2

Game 6: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 5 p.m., ESPN

Game 7: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU

Game 8: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 10 p.m., ESPN

Nov. 27

Game 9 (Fifth-place game): Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 7, 1:30 p.m., ESPN/ESPN2

Game 10 (Championship): Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 8, 4 p.m., ESPN

Game 11 (Third-place game): Loser Game 6 vs. Loser Game 8, 8:30 p.m., ESPN2

Game 12 (Seventh-place game): Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 7, 11 p.m., ESPN2

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m