UNLV basketball out of 2025 Maui Invitational

UNLV Rebels head coach Kevin Kruger watches play during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. Photo by Steve Marcus

The UNLV basketball team will not play in the Maui Invitational as planned next year, with Boise State stepping in to replace the Scarlet and Gray.

Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reported Thursday that UNLV is out of the eight-team field.

No reason for the change has been given. UNLV has yet to respond to a request for comment.

The field for the prestigious non-conference tournament was announced in May of 2024, with UNLV set to do battle with Chaminade, North Carolina State, Southern California, Texas, Baylor, Oregon and Seton Hall.

It’s the second time in five years UNLV is being rerouted away from Maui. The Scarlet and Gray were part of the field for the 2020 event, but the Covid-19 pandemic forced the tournament to relocate to Asheville, N.C., where UNLV went 0-3 under then-coach T.J. Otzelberger.

Field changes have become common for the Maui Invitational. Since the eight original participants were announced in May, Baylor and Oregon have also pulled out, with Washington State and Arizona State filling in as replacements. Baylor backed out in order to participate in the 2025 Players Era Festival — a tournament that guarantees millions in NIL money to each team.

There is a strong likelihood that UNLV will pivot and participate in an alternate multiteam event next season. Kevin Kruger has taken UNLV to an MTE in each of his four seasons as head coach; this season they played in the Arizona Tip-Off, losing to Mississippi State and Northwestern.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.