Memphis can complete an improbable run to the Maui Invitational title on Wednesday when it plays No. 4 Auburn in the championship game in Lahaina, Hawaii.
Memphis (6-0) entered the event unranked but beat No. 2 UConn 99-97 in overtime in the first round Monday and Michigan State 71-63 in Tuesday’s semifinals.
Memphis coach Penny Hardaway said he likes the extra attention his team has received following those two wins.
“It feels good,” he said. “As a competitor, a former basketball player (and) now a coach, you want to be a part of the rare air in the NCAA. You want to be part of that group they mention with Duke, Kansas — you want Memphis’ name to be there. That’s why we play one of the top non-conference schedules every year, because we want to play those guys to show who we are.
“That’s just all a part of it for us. It’s a journey, always trying to fight to get our respect, and little by little hopefully we’re getting there. We want that attention because we work so hard.”
Auburn (6-0) advanced to the Maui final by defeating No. 5 Iowa State 83-81 in the first round and then No. 12 North Carolina 85-72 in Tuesday’s second semifinal.
Johni Broome has been a dominant force for Auburn. He had 21 points and 10 rebounds against Iowa State and 23 points and 19 rebounds vs. North Carolina.
Broome made 9 of 18 field-goal attempts against the Tar Heels.
“I think you’ve got to remember where he came from, and that just doesn’t get talked about enough,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. “He was a three-star (recruit). … He’s not fast enough, not good enough. All he’s done his entire career is prove people wrong.”
Auburn’s Chad Baker-Mazara added 14 points and seven rebounds against North Carolina, and Chaney Johnson came off the bench and finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. Auburn had six players who scored at least 10 points.
“Having six guys in double figures was really, really good,” Pearl said. “The guys shared the ball really well. (Johnson is) a nightmare to match up with, because he can do things on the perimeter.”
Tyrese Hunter was Memphis’ leading scorer in each of its tournament victories. The senior made 5 of his 10 3-point attempts and scored 23 points against Michigan State, and he had seven 3-pointers and 26 points during Monday’s victory over UConn.
Hunter began his career at Iowa State and also played at Texas before he transferred to Memphis. Hunter helped Iowa State beat Memphis when he was a freshman.
“He demolished us,” Hardaway said. “He really had an unbelievable game as a freshman (nine points, five assists), and I was a fan from that point on. When he got in the (transfer) portal, he was a guy I targeted. I was like, âWe need him.'”
Hunter said the team knows what it will take to defeat Auburn.
“Just stay locked in like the last two games,” he said. “Just go out and be us. I think we’re confident enough to play our game and just go out and try to win.”
