Facing UCLA and then, possibly, Kansas in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational in November certainly fits that description, although Rose set up the Cougars’ entrance into one of the country’s most prestigious early season tournaments years ago.
Pope’s Cougars will face UCLA and new Bruins coach Mick Cronin on Nov. 25 at 9:30 p.m. MST on ESPN2 in the opening game of the 36th annual event at the Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui. The BYU-UCLA winner will meet the Kansas-Chaminade winner on Nov. 26.
The teams on the other side of the bracket are Michigan State, Virginia Tech, Dayton and Georgia.