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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, except for Northeastern (GoNU.com).
TV/streaming info from the event websites and MattSarzSports.com. All times are Eastern.
Just one title was determined on the Saturday before Thanksgiving 2018, as the Green Bay Phoenix (3-2) dominated the Morehead State Eagles (2-3) to win the 2K Empire Classic’s subregional crown in Cheney, Wash.
Tip Time Schedule
Sunday, November 18
Tip Time (ET) | Event | Round | Matchup | TV/Streaming | KenPom Fan Match Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tip Time (ET) | Event | Round | Matchup | TV/Streaming | KenPom Fan Match Rank |
10:30 a.m. | Myrtle Beach Invitational | 5th/6th Place | Wake Forest vs. Valparaiso | ESPNU | 10 |
11 a.m. | Air Force Reserve Tip-Off | Springfield Championship | Holy Cross vs. Siena | ESPN3 | 20 |
11 a.m. | Charleston Classic | 7th/8th Place | Ball State vs. Appalachian State | ESPN3 | 14 |
11 a.m. | Bahamas Showcase | 7th/8th Place | North Dakota State vs. Towson | BD Global stream ($) | 23 |
12 p.m. | Jamaica Classic | Hosts' Day 2 | Georgetown vs. South Florida | CBSSN | 36 |
1 p.m. (approx.) | Myrtle Beach Invitational | 7th/8th Place | Cal State Fullerton vs. Monmouth | ESPN3 | 22 |
1:30 p.m. (approx.) | Air Force Reserve Tip-Off | Naismith Championship | Michigan vs. Providence | ESPN | 4 |
1:30 p.m. (approx.) | Charleston Classic | 5th/6th Place | Alabama vs. Wichita State | ESPNU | 6 |
2 p.m. | Bahamas Showcase | 5th/6th Place | Incarnate Word vs. FAU | BD Global stream ($) | 39 |
2:30 p.m. (approx.) | Jamaica Classic | Visitors' Day 2 | Austin Peay vs. Campbell | CBSSN | 19 |
3:30 p.m. | Bimini Jam | Round-Robin | Air Force vs. South Dakota | FloHoops.com ($) | 21 |
4 p.m. | Myrtle Beach Invitational | 3rd/4th Place | Saint Joseph's vs. West Virginia | ESPNU | 9 |
4 p.m. (approx.) | Air Force Reserve Tip-Off | Naismith Consolation | George Washington vs. South Carolina | ESPN2 | 34 |
5 p.m. | Bahamas Showcase | 3rd/4th Place | Miami (Ohio) vs. Pepperdine | BD Global stream ($) | 17 |
5:30 p.m. | Paradise Jam | Semifinals | Oregon State vs. Missouri | FloHoops.com ($) | 8 |
6 p.m. | Charleston Classic | 3rd/4th Place | Davidson vs. Northeastern | ESPNU | 7 |
6 p.m. (approx.) | Junkanoo Jam | Round-Robin | Central Michigan vs. San Jose State | FloHoops.com ($) | 42 |
6:30 p.m. | Jamaica Classic | Hosts' Day 2 | Ohio vs. Loyola Marymount | CBSSN | 13 |
6:30 p.m. (approx.) | Myrtle Beach Invitational | Championship | UCF vs. WKU | ESPN2 | 5 |
8 p.m. | Vancouver Showcase | Showcase | Washington vs. Santa Clara | ESPN3 | 40 |
8 p.m. | Bahamas Showcase | Championship | Montana vs. Georgia Southern | BD Global stream ($) | 11 |
8 p.m. (approx.) | Paradise Jam | Semifinals | Penn vs. Kansas State | FloHoops.com ($) | 15 |
8:30 p.m. (approx.) | Charleston Classic | Championship | Virginia Tech vs. Purdue | ESPN2 | 1 |
8:30 p.m. (approx.) | Junkanoo Jam | Round-Robin | Weber State vs. Cal State Bakersfield | FloHoops.com ($) | 18 |
9 p.m. (approx.) | Jamaica Classic | Visitors' Day 2 | Florida A&M vs. Central Connecticut State | CBSSN | 44 |
10:30 p.m. (approx.) | Vancouver Showcase | Showcase | Texas A&M vs. Minnesota | ESPN2 | 3 |
Myrtle Beach Invitational Finals
5th/6th Place: Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-1) vs. Valparaiso Crusaders (2-1), 10:30 a.m. (ESPNU)
7th/8th Place: Cal State Fullerton Titans (1-3) vs. Monmouth Hawks (0-5), approx. 1 p.m. (ESPN3)
3rd/4th Place: Saint Joseph’s Hawks (3-1) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1), 4 p.m. (ESPNU)
Championship: UCF Knights (3-1) vs. WKU Hilltoppers (3-1), approx. 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
UCF had little trouble with Saint Joe’s in the first semifinal on Friday afternoon, routing the Hawks, 77-57, while making the difficult look somewhat effortless at times.
Aubrey Dawkins made a very difficult bucket.
— UCF Men's Basketball (@UCF_MBB) November 16, 2018
We lead it 53-40 with 14:49 to play here in Myrtle Beach. Watch the rest on ESPN2 https://t.co/R4m7p38r3s pic.twitter.com/UJAcnxnZnO
But the shock of Friday came in its final game, as Western Kentucky knocked off West Virginia, 63-57, to set up a championship tilt that will feature the Conference USA and American Athletic Conference favorites.
Charleston Classic Finals
7th/8th Place: Ball State Cardinals (1-3) vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers (1-3), 11 a.m. (ESPN3)
5th/6th Place: Alabama Crimson Tide (3-1) vs. Wichita State Shockers (2-2), approx. 1:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
3rd/4th Place: Davidson Wildcats (3-1) vs. Northeastern Huskies (2-2), 6 p.m. (ESPNU)
Championship: Virginia Tech Hokies (3-0) vs. Purdue Boilermakers (4-0), approx. 8:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Virginia Tech rolled past Northeastern in Friday’s early first semifinal, 88-60, a victory that included a buzzer-beating three to close the first half.
FROM. THE. LOGO. @HokiesMBB pic.twitter.com/VK55sD5MKd
— Charleston Classic (@ESPNCharleston) November 16, 2018
In the final game of the day, Purdue used the three ball to roll past its mid-major opposition, Davidson, 79-58. Carsen Edwards was particularly hot for the Boilermakers, scoring 29, including six threes on 11 attempts. Note that he’s disappointingly seen making a two-pointer in the video below.
UPDATE: Carson Edwards is still good at basketball...#CarsonCam@Cboogie_3 @BoilerBall pic.twitter.com/Ad1dOQHQeK
— Charleston Classic (@ESPNCharleston) November 17, 2018
That sets up an early ACC/Big Ten Challenge-type matchup for the championship and the first of two Davidson-Northeastern meetings in the span of a week. The Wildcats will host the Huskies in the final non-bracketed game on Saturday.
Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Presented by Citi Finals
Springfield Bracket Championship
Holy Cross Crusaders (2-2) vs. Siena Saints (2-1), 11 a.m. (ESPN3)
Holy Cross surprised Stony Brook, who won at both George Washington and South Carolina in the on-campus rounds, 84-70, to reach the Springfield final. The Crusaders’ opposition will be Siena, who edged Norfolk State, 61-58, in Friday’s nightcap. Last night, the Seawolves defeated the Spartans to claim third place, 72-65.
Naismith Bracket Finals
Championship: Michigan Wolverines (4-0) vs. Providence Friars (3-1), approx. 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Consolation: George Washington Colonials (0-4) vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (2-2), approx. 4 p.m. (ESPN2)
Were the Wolverines in the Big East, they might be in position to establish themselves as conference favorites by knocking off the Friars, particularly if they stay as red hot from the perimeter as they were in Saturday’s 84-61 rout of winless GW.
Michigan has dropped 14 3-pointers today against George Washington marking the first time since it drained 14 against Texas A&M (March 22, 2018) ‼️#HOFTipOff #GoBlue 〽️
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) November 17, 2018
In game two, the Friars’ 76-67 victory over South Carolina not only prevented an early preview of the Gamecock-Wolverine game already scheduled for Saturday, December 8th in Ann Arbor, but it also helped Ed Cooley’s squad extend an impressive streak.
Friars defeat South Carolina playing in in season Champ game for the 6th Straight year. pic.twitter.com/YIv52DTbtp
— PC Men's Basketball (@PCFriarsmbb) November 17, 2018
Those prior results:
- 2017 2K Classic: won over Saint Louis Billikens
- 2016 Emerald Coast Classic: lost to Virginia Cavaliers
- 2015 Wooden Legacy: lost to Michigan State Spartans
- 2014 Hall of Fame Tip-Off: won over Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- 2013 Paradise Jam: lost to Maryland Terrapins
With Michigan playing so well early, Providence is going to have its work cut out for it in its attempt to get to .500 in its recent title game appearances.
Islands of the Bahamas Showcase Finals
7th/8th Place: Towson Tigers (1-3) vs. North Dakota State Bison (1-3), 11 a.m. (BD Global stream ($))
5th/6th Place: Incarnate Word Cardinals (4-2) vs. FAU Owls (3-1), 2 p.m. (BD Global stream ($))
3rd/4th Place: Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (2-2) vs. Pepperdine Waves (2-2), 5 p.m. (BD Global stream ($))
Championship: Montana Grizzlies (4-0) vs. Georgia Southern Eagles (4-0), 8 p.m. (BD Global stream ($))
Big Sky champ/favorite Montana was pushed to the limit by Miami, as the Grizzlies needed to rally late to overhaul the RedHawks, 73-71. It was a similar story in semifinal no. 2, as Pepperdine couldn’t hold on to second-half lead against Georgia Southern, with the Eagles prevailing by 10, 88-78. So, the Grizzlies, who already defeated Georgia State Panthers in Missoula 81-74 back on November 9th, will look to knock off their second Sun Belt contender in the season’s first two weeks. As for Georgia Southern, they’ll look to better the 70-67 defeat Towson handed them in 2017’s Gulf Coast Showcase final.
Jersey Mike’s Jamaica Classic Montego Bay Day 2
Hosts’ Bracket
Georgetown Hoyas (3-1) vs. South Florida Bulls (3-0), 12 p.m. (CBSSN)
Ohio Bobcats (2-1) vs. Loyola Marymount Lions (3-1), 6:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Visitors’ Bracket
Austin Peay Governors (2-2) vs. Campbell Fighting Camels (2-2), approx. 2:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Florida A&M Rattlers (2-1) vs. Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (2-2), approx. 9 p.m. (CBSSN)
On Friday, Austin Peay topped Central Connecticut in a thriller, 80-78, to open the quadruple-header in Montego Bay. Meanwhile, Chris Clemons illustrated why he’s one of the nation’s most prolific scorers, managing 25 points that helped rally Campbell past FAMU in the second game of the day, 66-59. This afternoon, the Governors will get their first of two chances as stopping Clemson and the Camels this season. Yes, despite the fact the matchups for this tournament were pre-set, Austin Peay and Campbell will play twice this season, as they’ll meet again in the St. Pete Shootout semifinals in December.
In the hosts’ tier, South Florida will look to follow up its impressive Friday 73-46 win over Ohio by stunning Georgetown. But considering the Hoyas dropped their opener to Loyola Marymount by a 65-52 count, look for Patrick Ewing’s team to play with some motivation before they depart Jamaica. As for the Lions, they’ll hope to build upon their impressive victory over the tournament favorites by topping a Bobcat team that looked dreadful on Friday. Anything less would be a disappointment for a team hoping to claw its way to the upper half of the WCC.
U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Semifinals
Oregon State Beavers (3-0) vs. Missouri Tigers (2-1), 5:30 p.m. (FloHoops.com ($))
Penn Quakers (4-0) vs. Kansas State Wildcats (3-0), approx. 8 p.m. (FloHoops.com ($))
The Beavers knocked off Old Dominion, 61-56, on Friday, thanks to a late push, while Mizzou struggled mightily with Kennesaw State, prevailing by just three, 55-52. Penn, meanwhile, won its fourth in a row, despite some “epic” travel difficulties that delayed the team’s arrival in St. Thomas. The Quakers took down UNI 78-71 to earn a semifinal berth against Kansas State, easy winners over Eastern Kentucky.
With the consolation semifinals yesterday, all eight teams will be in action to close the tournament on Monday.
Bimini Jam Day 3 and Junkanoo Jam Day 4
Bimini Jam Day 3
Air Force Falcons (1-2) vs. South Dakota Coyotes (1-2), 3:30 p.m. (FloHoops.com ($))
The Falcons needed the day off after playing two OTs in their 77-72 loss to UMBC on Friday. While South Dakota didn’t play any extra basketball in the middle game of Friday’s Bahamas tripleheader, the Coyotes dropped a close one to High Point, 60-56.
Junkanoo Jam Day 4
Central Michigan Chippewas (3-1) vs. San José State Spartans (2-2), approx. 6 p.m. (FloHoops.com ($))
Weber State Wildcats (3-1) vs. Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners (1-3) , approx. 8:30 p.m. (FloHoops.com ($))
Thanks to its earlier wins over the Chippewas and Spartans, the Wildcats can finish the Junkanoo Jam with a 3-0 record by defeating the Roadrunners.
TCL Vancouver Showcase Day 1
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Washington Huskies (2-1) vs. Santa Clara Broncos (0-2), 8 p.m. (ESPN3 (U.S.) and TSN Direct (Canada))
Texas A&M Aggies (1-2) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-0), approx. 10:30 p.m. (ESPN2 (U.S.)/TSN (Canada))
This new event was supposed to launch in November 2017. But that was delayed to this season, undoubtedly due to the lack of available teams last fall, thanks to the Phil Knight Invitational taking 16 teams out of the exempt tournament pool for one year. Unfortunately, this season’s tournament recruiting environment wasn’t all that great either, which meant Vancouver Showcase organizer needed to transfer some of the mid-major visitors’ bracket teams originally ticketed for Canada to other events. As for the four host schools, proceedings in British Columbia were switched from a bracket to set matchups—nearly a round-robin, in fact, except for the fact that A&M and Santa Clara won’t meet.
So, not only is there a doubleheader tonight where the semifinals should have been, there’s another on Tuesday, with Santa Clara facing Minnesota and Washington challenging Texas A&M, plus a standalone game on Wednesday evening, with the Golden Gophers and Huskies meeting.
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