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Note: Graphics and tables may not appear optimally when viewing on a mobile device.
All field graphics by Chris Dobbertean using logos from Sportslogos.net.
TV/streaming info from the event websites and MattSarzSports.com. All times are Eastern.
2018’s first tournament crown went to (checks notes), the Iowa Hawkeyes (4-0), who dominated the UConn Huskies (3-1) in the 2K Empire Classic final, 91-72. You can add Fran McCaffrey’s team to the list of ones to watch in the Big Ten, thanks to Tyler Cook (26 points, 8 boards), Luka Garza (22 and 7), and Connor McCaffrey (19 points, 6 assists). In the consolation game, Oregon Ducks (3-1) handled Syracuse Orange (2-2), 80-65, with Bol Bol impressing with 26 points and 9 rebounds.
Friday’s action also set the finals for the two ESPN-owned events that will conclude on Sunday. In the Myrtle Beach Invitational, the UCF Knights (3-1) will meet the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-1), following their respective semifinal wins over the Saint Joseph’s Hawks (3-1) and West Virginia Mountaineers (1-2). Further down the South Carolina coast, the Virginia Tech Hokies (3-0) and Purdue Boilermakers (4-0) will contest the Charleston Classic title tilt after their blowout wins over the Northeastern Huskies (2-2) and Davidson Wildcats (3-1).
Tip Time Schedule
Saturday, November 17
Tip Time (ET) | Event | Matchup | Teams | TV/Streaming | KenPom Fan Match Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tip Time (ET) | Event | Matchup | Teams | TV/Streaming | KenPom Fan Match Rank |
11 a.m. | Bahamas Showcase | Consolation Semifinals | Incarnate Word vs. North Dakota State | BD Global stream ($) | 40 |
12 p.m. | Air Force Reserve Tip-Off | Naismith Semifinals | Michigan vs. George Washington | ESPN3 | 39 |
2 p.m. | Bahamas Showcase | Consolation Semifinals | FAU vs. Towson | BD Global stream ($) | 18 |
2:30 p.m. (approx.) | Air Force Reserve Tip-Off | Naismith Semifinals | South Carolina vs. Providence | ESPN3 | 1 |
3 p.m. | Paradise Jam | Consolation Semifinals | Old Dominion vs. Kennesaw State | FloHoops.com ($) | 43 |
5 p.m. | Bahamas Showcase | Semifinals | Montana vs. Miami (Ohio) | BD Global stream ($) | 8 |
5:30 p.m. (approx.) | Paradise Jam | Consolation Semifinals | UNI vs. Eastern Kentucky | FloHoops.com ($) | 28 |
6 p.m. | Junkanoo Jam | Round-Robin | Cal State Bakersfield vs. San Jose State | FloHoops.com ($) | 34 |
6:15 p.m. (approx.) | 2K Empire Classic | Subregional Consolation | UMKC at Eastern Washington | Pluto.tv | 30 |
8 p.m. | Bahamas Showcase | Semifinals | Georgia Southern vs. Pepperdine | BD Global stream ($) | 10 |
8:30 p.m. | Air Force Reserve Tip-Off | Springfield Consolation | Stony Brook vs. Norfolk State | ESPN3 | 21 |
8:30 p.m. (approx.) | Bimini Jam | Round-Robin | UMBC vs. High Point | FloHoops.com ($) | 14 |
2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project Subregional Finals
Championship: Morehead State Eagles (2-2) vs. Green Bay Phoenix (2-2), 4 p.m. (No TV/streaming)
Consolation: UMKC Kangaroos (0-4) at Eastern Washington Eagles (0-3), approx. 6:15 p.m. (Pluto.tv)
Much like the festivities in New York, the 2K Empire Classic’s visitors’ bracket also featured a bit of a surprise. Sure, Morehead State advanced to the final as expected, taking down UMKC, 99-89, but the Eagles’ opponent will not be their namesakes from host EWU, but the Phoenix of Green Bay, who took down the Big Sky squad, 82-78, after overtime.
As a result, only the consolation game, featuring host Eastern Washington will be streamed, not the intriguing title game earlier in the afternoon.
Islands of the Bahamas Showcase Semifinals
Championship Bracket
Montana Grizzlies (3-0) vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (2-1), 5 p.m. (BD Global stream ($))
Georgia Southern Eagles (3-0) vs. Pepperdine Waves (2-1), 8 p.m. (BD Global stream ($))
Consolation Bracket
Incarnate Word Cardinals (3-2) vs. North Dakota State Bison (1-2), 11 a.m. (BD Global stream ($))
FAU Owls (2-1) vs. Towson Tigers (1-2), 2 p.m. (BD Global stream ($))
While tournament favorite Montana only led Incarnate Word by six at the half, they used a big 21-point second half advantage to roll into the semifinals, 93-66. The prospect of an early Montana-NDSU matchup (the pair will meet in Missoula for the Big Sky/Summit Challenge on December 17th) was ended by Miami in game two, as the RedHawks dropped the Bison to the consolation bracket, 89-78. In the evening session, Georgia Southern pulled away from FAU in the second stanza, prevailing 80-70, while Pepperdine, playing thousands of miles from fire-ravaged Malibu, took down Towson, 74-65.
Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Presented by Citi Day 2
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Naismith Bracket Semifinals
Michigan Wolverines (3-0) vs. George Washington Colonials (0-3), 12 p.m. (ESPN3)
South Carolina Gamecocks (2-1) vs. Providence Friars (2-1), approx. 2:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
Springfield Bracket Third-Place
Stony Brook Seawolves (2-1) vs. Norfolk State Spartans (2-3), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
If the Wolverines play like they did in their 73-46 shellacking of the Villanova Wildcats in their national title game rematch on Wednesday night, the other three teams in the Naismith Bracket won’t have much hope of victory. It could be a long afternoon for the Colonials, who have already lost both of their on-campus games in this event (to Stony Brook and Siena) and at Virginia.
In game two, the Friars, who are the only 2018 participant to have played in the Tip-Off before—defeating a pair of ACC teams, Florida State and Notre Dame—to win the title in 2014, take on a Gamecock squad that also lost one of its preliminary games, again to Stony Brook. Providence’s lone loss came to Wichita State in the Veterans Classic at Navy on November 9th.
Even though Stony Brook won two games during the on-campus round, they couldn’t get past Holy Cross (2-2) in the Springfield Bracket semifinals on Friday night, falling to the Crusaders by an 84-70 score. The Seawolves will meet Norfolk State, who will host Stony Brook on November 27th to wrap up a home-and-home series, in the consolation game thanks to the Spartans’ narrow 61-58 loss to Siena (2-1).
U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Consolation Semifinals
Old Dominion Monarchs (1-2) vs. Kennesaw State Owls (1-3), 3 p.m. (FloHoops.com ($))
UNI Panthers (1-2) vs. Eastern Kentucky Colonels (2-2), approx. 5:30 p.m. (FloHoops.com ($))
In Friday’s opening quarterfinal, Oregon State (3-0) narrowly avoided an old-school Red Line Upset by closing strong in defeating the Monarchs, 61-56. Kennesaw State came even closer against Missouri (2-1), falling 55-52. Penn (4-0) earned a much needed day off, thanks to some difficulties in even making it to the Virgin Islands by knocking off Northern Iowa, 78-71. Kansas State (3-0) and EKU played the only game of the day that wasn’t competitive, with the Wildcats using a big second half to blow past the Colonels, 95-68.
Friday’s four winners take the court again on Sunday evening.
Bimini Jam Day 2 and Junkanoo Jam Day 3
Junkanoo Jam Day 3
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners (1-1) vs. San José State Spartans (1-2), 6 p.m. (FloHoops.com ($))
The Roadrunners and Spartans will look to rebound from their respective Thursday losses to Central Michigan and Weber State. In Friday night’s winners’ game, the Wildcats (3-1) stunned the Chippewas (3-1) at the buzzer to escape with a 78-76 victory.
ISRAEL BARNES HITS A 3 AT THE BUZZER.
— WeberHQ Brett Hein (@WeberHQ) November 17, 2018
Weber State wins 78-76 pic.twitter.com/RghUjxCiMC
Bimini Jam Day 2
UMBC Retrievers (3-1) vs. High Point Panthers (1-2), approx. 8:30 p.m. (FloHoops.com ($))
The Retrievers needed two OTs to drop Air Force (1-2), 77-72, which makes the fact they won’t get a day off before playing tonight just a little unfair. UMBC will take on High Point this evening, after Tubby Smith’s Panthers surprised South Dakota (1-2), 60-56.
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