Ken Davis

Injuries are threatening to spoil our fun. And that’s just not right.

The Maui Invitational is all about fun. It’s college basketball in Hawaii. What's better than basketball, beaches and sunshine? For those of us who live in places where the weatherman is already discussing the wind chill factor, the thought of wearing a Tommy Bahama shirt, a pair of baggy shorts and flip flops while watching four games a day at the Lahaina Civic Center simply warms the soul.

And this year’s field isn't much hotter. The marquee team is North Carolina, everyone’s preseason pick to win the national championship. If things go according to plan, Notre Dame and Texas will meet in the semifinals. Most tournament directors would list that as a fantasy championship pairing. In Maui, it’s just a warmup to something better.

For months we’ve been dreaming of a Maui championship feast featuring Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough, the defending national player of the year, and Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody, the Big East's version of Hansbrough. It could still happen, although no one is sure if Hansbrough will be able to play in Maui. He missed Monday's opening round game between UNC and Chaminade.

Psycho T, as he is affectionately known in Chapel Hill, has missed about three weeks of practice and two regular season games with a stress reaction in his right shin. Coach Roy Williams and the Carolina staff are exercising extreme caution with Hansbrough. The last thing they want is to use Hansbrough too soon and then lose him again — for a longer period of time — with a stress fracture.

And North Carolina freshman forward Tyler Zeller also is injured, with a fractured left wrist, and could be out for the season. With Marcus Ginyard out until December after foot surgery, the Tar Heels are down to two healthy forwards — Deon Thompson and Ed Davis.

As much as everyone would love to see Hansbrough play in Hawaii, the Tar Heels have to be careful. Williams figures to be extremely cautious, especially if the weather is hot in Maui. He remembers his Kansas team and the trouble the Jayhawks had with leg cramps during a loss to Ball State in the 2001 Maui Invitational. Nick Collison had to be carried off the court and received IV treatment before returning to the game.

Special feature Curry heads our All-America team Davidson star joins Hansbrough, Price, Harden and Harangody as NBCSports.com's first team. NBCSports.com

Kansas didn’t win in Maui that year, but the Jayhawks did finish 16-0 in the Big 12 and advanced to the Final Four. You’ve got to keep the big picture in focus at all times.

Some great fields have been put together for the holiday tournaments. Here’s a quick look at the top treats (click here to see the Top 25 schedule):

EA Sports Maui Invitational
Dates: Nov. 24-26; Lahaina, Hawaii
Field: Saint Joseph’s vs. Texas, Indiana vs. Notre Dame, North Carolina vs. Chaminade, Oregon vs. Alabama

Something to watch: A.J. Abrams has convinced us that he can hit the three-pointer, regardless of the distance. Now Abrams is trying to prove that he can run an offense. The Longhorns are using him at point guard in the absence of former backcourt mate D.J. Augustin. NBA scouts will be watching.

Projected champion: North Carolina

Old Spice Classic
Dates: Nov. 27-28, 30; Orlando
Field: Tennessee vs. Siena, Wichita State vs. Georgetown, Maryland vs. Michigan State, Oklahoma State vs. Gonzaga

Something to watch: There are those who think this might be the year Gonzaga reaches the Final Four. Coach Mark Few’s team could increase that speculation by winning this tournament. Whoever emerges from this field will earn a ton of confidence.

Projected champion: Michigan State

O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic
Dates: Nov. 24-25; Kansas City, Mo.
Field: Florida vs. Syracuse; Washington vs. Kansas

Mike Miller's college hoops blog Five things to watch this week

Something to watch: Call this the Tournament of Champions. Four of the last six national championships are represented in this four-team field. Syracuse won the 2003 title, defeating Kansas. Florida won back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007 and Kansas is the reigning champion after beating Memphis last April. Florida and Syracuse are both trying to return to the NCAA Tournament after rare absences.

Projected champion: Kansas

76 Classic
Dates: Nov. 27-28, 30; Anaheim
Field: Saint Mary’s vs. UTEP, Wake Forest vs. Cal State Fullerton, Arizona State vs. Charlotte, Providence vs. Baylor

Something to watch: Wake Forest and Arizona State may be the top two teams in this loaded field, but don’t pass up the chance to watch Saint Mary’s in action. Coach Randy Bennett has a really talented team, led by Patrick Mills, the sophomore point guard from Australia. The Gaels are going to battle Gonzaga for the West Coast championship again this season.

Projected champion: Arizona State

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