The Maui Invitational’s tribute to Bill Walton was beautiful and a reminder that there was no one better for this tournament

This is apparently the first Maui Invitational since Bill Walton passed away over the summer. This is the first time I could really remember him passing away. There was no one, and I mean no one, more perfect for this event than Bill Walton. You’ll find yourself either zoning out at work to pass the time or late at night listening to some of these gems:

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The man lived to talk Pac-12 basketball and the Maui Invitational. He was as synonymous with Maui as Bill Raftery is with the Big East. They were a match made in heaven. So today, during the first game of UConn/Memphis, we got a tribute video and the chair he was sitting in was decorated for him. It’s perfect. That summed up who Big Wave Billy was. You’d never want him to call a Final Four game for your team, but Maui? Get everyone off the schedule and just let Dave Pasch and Bill Walton call Maui. That’s how every college basketball fan felt about him out there.

It’s still the best regular season event in college basketball, but it feels different without him there. Love seeing the announcers wear tie dye for him and the tribute he gets. It is deserved.