Maui Invitational Championship Game: What to Know for Purdue vs. Marquette

No. 2 Purdue and No. 4 Marquette will play in the AllState Maui Invitational Championship Game on Wednesday. Here's what you need to know about the matchup between the Boilermakers and Golden Eagles.

The championship matchup is set for the AllState Maui Invitational. Wednesday evening, No. 2 Purdue and No. 4 Marquette will take the court with a chance to add another impressive early-season victory to their resumé. 

Plus, a championship is on the line, just in case anyone needed a little added motivation. So far, the Maui Invitational has been incredibly entertaining. That should continue in Wednesday's championship game.

Purdue (5-0) vs. Marquette (5-0)

• When/Where: 5 p.m. ET, Honolulu, Hawaii (AllState Maui Invitational)
• TV: ESPN
• Purdue's Path: Def. No. 11 Gonzaga 73-63; def. No. 7 Tennessee 71-67
• Marquette's Path: Def. UCLA 71-69; def. No. 1 Kansas 73-59
• The Skinny: This year's Maui Invitational was undoubtedly the most power-heavy multi-team event in recent memory. It's been a great early-season tournament and should be capped off with a fun championship game between Purdue and Marquette. With both teams entering Wednesday's contest undefeated, a Maui Invitational title won't be the only thing on the line. The winner will also likely be the No. 1 ranked team in next week's Associated Press Poll.

Key Players: Purdue

• Not to state the obvious, but Zach Edey will probably be the most important player on the floor Wednesday. The reigning National Player of the Year has posted double-doubles in wins over Gonzaga and Tennessee, averaging 24 points and 12 rebounds in the Maui Invitational. The seven-footer did find himself in foul trouble Tuesday against the Volunteers and also struggled early from the free throw line.

• Guard Braden Smith started this year's Maui Invitational off on the right foot, scoring 13 points, dishing six assists and grabbing four rebounds against Gonzaga. The sophomore made just two of his nine shot attempts from the floor against Tennessee, but he still seemed to be in control for most of the game. He can't get rattled if the Boilermakers want to get a win on Wednesday evening.

• A number of players could fill this third slot, but Lance Jones has proven to be a major asset to Purdue through the first five games. The Southern Illinois transfer provides the Boilers with much-needed athleticism on both ends of the floor. He's been a nuisance on the defensive end and can get buckets quickly for the offense.

Key Players: Marquette

• Senior Oso Ighodaro has played consistent basketball through the first two games of the Maui Invitational for the Golden Eagles. He was dominant in Marquette's upset win over Kansas, scoring 21 points and grabbing nine rebounds. He also scored 14 points in the opening-round win against UCLA. For the tournament, Ighodaro is shooting 63.6% from the floor.

• If you want a guy who can light it up in a hurry, then Kam Jones is the player to watch. The guard is averaging 16 points per game this season, leading Marquette in the category. He's capable of creating his own shot and is connecting at a 46.7% clip from the floor and a 40% mark from 3-point range. 

• Keep an eye on Tyler Kolek, a guy capable of heating up quickly. He's connected on just one of his five shots from 3-point land, but shot 55.6% from the floor in a 24-point performance against Illinois earlier in the year.

Quick Notes

• Wednesday's matchup between Purdue and Marquette marks the 12th meeting between the two teams. The Boilermakers own a 10-1 advantage in the series. Purdue also won last year's Gavitt Games showdown against the Golden Eagles 75-70.

• This is Purdue's first appearance in the Maui Invitational Championship Game since 1999. The Boilers dropped a 90-75 decision to North Carolina.

• Purdue's Zach Edey was named the National Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season. Marquette's Shaka Smart received the National Coach of the Year honor last year.

• Both Purdue and Marquette are 2-0 against ranked opponents this season. The Boilermakers defeated No. 11 Gonzaga and No. 7 Tennessee, both wins in the Maui Invitational. The Golden Eagles defeated No. 23 Illinois in the Gavitt Games and No. 1 Kansas in the Maui Invitational.

• The Boilermakers have won 29 consecutive non-conference games. It is currently the longest streak in the country.

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