Field set for the 2012 Maui Invitational?

It appears that the field for the 2012 Maui Invitational has been decided upon.

Based on a tweet from Jeff Goodman last week, it appears that North Carolina, Texas, and Butler will headline an event that also includes Marquette, Illinois, Mississippi State, USC, and host Chaminade. The 2012 event (which will occur during the 2012-2013 season) will not have the same brand-name notoriety as this year's Maui Invitational -- which features five former national champions and three blue-blooded programs -- but it should be exciting nonetheless.

For most of the country, it will the first time we get to see new-look UNC, who most expect will lose quite a bit of talent to the 2012 NBA Draft. How will Roy Wiliams' club handle the expected losses of Harrison Barnes, John Henson, and fellow early entrants? The tournament will also be another chance for Butler to make a statement on national TV early in the season. This season is expected to be the rebuilding year for the Bulldogs, with their core of Shelvin Mack, Matt Howard, and Gordon Hayward all now gone. Will they be a factor on a national scale come 2012?

There are other intriguing story lines. USC's rebuilding process should be complete by then. Texas and Illinois -- two teams that struggle as much as any school with their recruiting success -- may have to be rebuilt by then. Marquette thought it a good idea to bring the pasty Buzz Williams to the beach.

What I'm looking forward to the most, however, will be Renardo Sidney's triumphant return to Hawaii.