MAUI – After a disappointing loss, the Michigan State Spartans are hoping to earn at least a third-place finish at the Maui Invitational, although it won’t be easy when they face the North Carolina Tar Heels.

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It seems like the Maui Invitational continues to be a town full of surprises. After Memphis defeated UConn in the opening round, they were able to come back and beat Michigan State with a convincing performance. Then, in the semifinals, top-ranked North Carolina couldn’t keep up with Auburn and lost 85-72.

While the championship game on the island will be entertaining, the consolation game between the Spartans and Tar Heels will feature a pair of bluebloods.

This will be Michigan State’s second game against a ranked opponent this season. Their first game was a few weeks ago in Atlanta, where they lost to No. 1 Kansas in a hard-fought battle. MSU bounced back with three straight wins, including a solid win over Colorado on Monday. A surprise win on Wednesday would give her team its best finish on Maui since third place in 2010.

North Carolina is participating in the Maui Invitational for the ninth time after Chaminade. This is the first time in the program’s last three trips to Hawaii that they have not made it to the final game, losing to Texas in 2020 after winning it all in 2016. UNC also has a loss to Kansas on its record this year.

The Tar Heels are 6-3 against the Spartans, including a win against MSU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last March.

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2024 MAUI INVITATION

Michigan State Spartans (5-2) vs. #12 North Carolina Tar Heels (4-2)

When: Wednesday, November 27th

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET

Where: Lahaina Civic Center (Maui, Hawaii)

Channel: ESPN2

Electricity: FuboTV (free trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream

Check out the NCAA men’s basketball rankings here