Hey folks,
Just happened across this little tidbit that's the first noise I've heard about next year's schedule.
The Hoosiers will take part in the 2009 Puerto Rico Tip-Off between Nov. 19-22, in a tournament field that includes the likes of Final Four participant Villanova, former Cinderella George Mason, a former ACC opponent Georgia Tech and yes, Mike Davis' UAB (assuming he's still there in November).
Here's a link to the Tip-Off Web site. The field is incomplete, powers that be are still looking for a fourth team.
To answer Ryan's question: The field is eight teams, but they have seven confirmed so far. My fault for the confusion.
Full IU release:
ESPN Regional Television, Inc. (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, announced today seven of the eight teams in the field for the 2009 O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off, to be held Nov. 19-22 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, in the cosmopolitan Hato Rey district of San Juan.
The field for the third annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off will include UAB, Dayton, George Mason, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas State and Villanova. The eighth team will be announced at a later date.
"We are looking forward to the opportunity to play in Puerto Rico," said Indiana Coach Tom Crean. "This is an outstanding field and this is quickly becoming one of the top pre season events in college basketball. Much like last year when we went to Maui, we are going to take a very young team and put them to the test early in the season."
Five of the seven teams announced reached the postseason this year. Villanova and Dayton played in the 2009 NCAA Tournament, with the Flyers advancing to the second round. The Wildcats, a No. 3 seed, will face No. 1 seed North Carolina in the Final Four on Saturday, April 4, in Detroit. UAB, George Mason and Kansas State played in the National Invitation Tournament.
"With the announcement this year's field, we couldn't be more thrilled with the continued quality of this event," said Pete Derzis, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Regional Television. "Coming off of last year's event that placed five teams in the NCAA Tournament and one in the NIT, the O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off is quickly being recognized as one the premier events in college basketball."
The 2009 O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off, a bracket-format tournament, will feature 12 games in three days, Nov. 19 -22. Each team will compete in one game per day, advancing through a bracket-tournament format. The two teams that remain undefeated throughout will face off in a championship match Sunday, Nov. 22.
In November, Xavier took home the 2008 Puerto Rico Tip-Off trophy, defeating Memphis 63-58 in the championship game. Both teams went on to be nationally ranked in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Top 25 poll throughout most of the 2008-09 season, with Memphis finishing the regular season ranked No. 2. Xavier will appear in the 2009 Old Spice Classic.
In 2007, the Miami Hurricanes won the inaugural O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
Additional information, including travel packages, can be found on the O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off Web site at www.PuertoRicoTipoff.com.
Just thought I'd bring that news to the basketball-starved readers of our blog.
