Seen and heard: Maui underdogs, Emmanuel Akot dances hula and Bill Walton's jokes
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Bruce Pascoe
Reporter
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Bruce Pascoe provides the latest seen and heard moments from Hawaii as the Arizona Wildcats look forward to their next game at the Maui Invitational after holding off Iowa State 71-66.
Musketeer pride
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Arizona takes on Iowa State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Maui Invitational, Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Bill Walton emceed a Maui Invitational pre-tournament beachside banquet, so you know what that means.
After working in one of several “conference of champions” references when talking about the Wildcats and coach Sean Miller, Walton jokingly played dumb about Xavier and coach Travis Steele.
“That’s in Cincinnati?” Walton asked Steele, and then went on with more playful questions.
“Bill,” Miller said at one point, interrupting Walton. “You know they were a No. 1 seed last year, right? I just wanted to make sure you know that.”
Walton did brief interviews with each of the coaches. When Walton asked Miller about his team being the hunter instead of hunted this season, Miller said it was “different for sure” but talked positively about his players.
Then, when Walton asked Miller what keeps him excited about this season’s team, Miller said:
“Well, you know in college basketball, that’s what happens,” Miller said. “It’s a very young game. We're not the only program in the country who’s playing young players. There’s quite a few others up here who have quite a few young faces.”
The Pullman-to-Maui "express"
UpdatedFrom 28 degrees in Pullman to 78 in Lahaina. Want to guess my favorite? pic.twitter.com/EEvMr02ler
— Brian Jeffries (@catspbp) November 19, 2018
Hula, Canadian style
UpdatedFeelin’ some kind of way... 😂😂😂#MauiHoops @AuburnMBB @APlayersProgram @DukeMBB @IlliniMBB @CycloneMBB @XavierMBB @ZagMBB @Aztec_MBB pic.twitter.com/qf5rgOZ7ga
— Maui Invitational (@MauiInv) November 19, 2018
Underdog mentality
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Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl shouts directions to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Xavier at the Maui Invitational, Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Auburn might be the No. 8 team in the country, but losing five of their final games last season left a sting. Even if the last one was in the Sweet 16.
Hawaiian handicap
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The Arizona bench reacts after taking the lead against Iowa State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Maui Invitational, Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Uni update
UpdatedArizona broke out its “refreshed” away red uniforms on Monday. Nike overhauled their uniforms two seasons ago and updated them slightly this season.
The big number
Updated0
Quotable
UpdatedZion windmill off the steal? Walk in the park for Williamson…
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 20, 2018
(via @CBSSports)pic.twitter.com/2DNRZrCgOp
Bruce Pascoe
Reporter
