The 2026 Maui Invitational will open with a marquee matchup on November 23, as the Colorado State Rams take on the Arizona Wildcats in a game that pits a rising Mountain West program against a perennial Pac‑12 powerhouse.
A Historical Perspective
Arizona enters the tournament fresh off a 36‑3 season that culminated in a Final Four appearance, a feat achieved under head coach Tommy Lloyd, whose strategic acumen has kept the Wildcats perched in the preseason top ten nationally.
Colorado State, by contrast, is leveraging the continuity of a team that posted 21 victories last year and secured an NIT berth, returning 59.9% of its scoring and 57.7% of its rebounding from that campaign.
The Rams’ backcourt will be anchored by returning scorers Kyle Jorgensen, Carey Booth and Josh Pascarelli, while veteran guard Ali Farokhmanesh provides depth and poise after a season that saw him contribute double‑digit points in numerous contests.
The historical ledger between the two schools spans 26 meetings, with Arizona holding a 14‑11 advantage; however, the last encounter in 1978 saw the Rams upset the Wildcats 95‑88, a result that still resonates in Colorado State’s program narrative.
The opening round also features other intriguing pairings — BYU versus Washington, Providence against VCU, and Clemson taking on Ole Miss — adding depth to a tournament that promises early‑season drama.
Fans can expect a fast‑paced contest that showcases both teams’ strengths, with Arizona’s defensive discipline and Colorado State’s balanced attack poised to make the November 23 showdown a highlight of the holiday basketball calendar.