Fansided

Each state’s nominee for America’s Team

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 50
Next
Nov 23, 2016; Lahaina, Maui, HI, USA; Chaminade Silverswords guard Austin Pope (0) drives to the basket against Tennessee Volunteers guard Jordan Bowden (23) during day three of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Lahaina, Maui, HI, USA; Chaminade Silverswords guard Austin Pope (0) drives to the basket against Tennessee Volunteers guard Jordan Bowden (23) during day three of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Hawaii

Chaminade Silverswords men’s basketball

Once a year, college basketball fans across the country are reminded that the Chaminade University of Honolulu has a basketball team, and for a few days the nation roots for the Silverswords. Arguably the premiere early season tournament of the season, the Maui Invitational is held at the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui, where the NCAA Division II Chaminade basketball team plays its home games.

Seven teams – many considered national championship contenders – compete alongside the Silverswords for the tournament title. Last year, North Carolina won its fourth Maui Invitational championship, and parlayed that success into a national championship – becoming the fifth team overall (and third Tar Heels squad) to win both in the same season. Duke has won the event five times, more than any other program since the tournament began in 1984.

It all happened by accident, and included one of the biggest upsets in the history of intercollegiate sports. In 1982, the Virginia Cavaliers were ranked No. 1 in the country. Led by eventual Hall of Famer Ralph Sampson, Virginia travelled to Hawaii expecting to play the Division I Rainbow Warriors but settling for Chaminade. The Cavaliers were shocked 77-72 by the then-NAIA Silverswords, in a game few saw since it was not televised.

As the story goes, on the recommendation of UVA’s athletic director, Chaminade hosted the first Maui Invitational two years later. The Silverswords fell just two points shy of winning that first tournament, losing to Providence 60-58. The Silverswords have yet to make it back to a final, but have won seven games in the tournament, the most recent being a win over the Texas Longhorns in 2012.

Home/College Football