Coastal Carolina to Host 2013 Maui on the Mainland

The past couple of years the Maui Invitational decided create and auxiliary event featuring some mid-major teams on the mainland. The event gives mid-majors not only to play in a four team tournament against each other, but also play a couple of high major squads who will find themselves in Maui in late November.

Per sources, this year's event will be held at Coastal Carolina's HTC Center. The field will include the host Chanticleers, Oakland University, St. Francis (NY), and Louisiana Lafayette.

The field may not grab your attention at first, but will feature two of our preseason Top 10 players at their respective positions in Oakland's big man Corey Petros and Louisiana-Lafayette point guard Elfrid Payton.

Payton has gained national notoriety this offseason after making Billy Donovan's U19 national team. The Ragin' Cajuns guard averaged 16 points and 6 assists last year.

The 3,600 seat HTC Center is in its second year of existence and is the home of the Big South Tournament for the both the men and women. Located right outside of Myrtle Beach, the Chanticleers were able to bring Clemson in as a home opponent a year ago and will also host Ole Miss of the SEC this year.

Coastal will be rebuilding after a disappointing 14-15 year and the graduation of key players Anthony Raffa and Kierre Greenwood.

The date of the November event has yet to be announced.