2022 The Basketball Classic
Season | 2021–22 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teams | 32 planned 21 bids accepted 18 teams competed | ||||
Finals site | Campus venues | ||||
|
The 2022 The Basketball Classic (TBC) is a single-elimination men's college basketball postseason tournament featuring National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I teams not selected to participate in the NCAA Tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The tournament began on March 15, with semifinals scheduled for March 29 and the championship game scheduled for March 31. All games are being streamed on ESPN+.
The Basketball Classic was founded by Eracism. This is the tournament's inaugural edition, officially known as the 2022 The Basketball Classic presented by Eracism.
Structure
Tournament organizers originally announced that there would be 32 teams in the field.[1] However, when the participating teams were named, there were only 21 listed. Three teams then withdrew prior to competing, leaving the actual field size at 18 for the tournament. In lieu of a traditional bracket, a model previously used by the NIT was implemented, in which the matchups are set after each round. Later-round host sites are determined, at least in part, by first-round game attendance figures.
Five matchups in the tournament were designated as "Legend Games", honoring Willis Reed, Travis Grant, Zelmo Beaty, Marques Haynes and Cleo Hill, all of whom played college basketball at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).[2] In addition to advancing in the tournament, the winning teams received a trophy honoring the legend for whom the particular game was named. Due to scheduling issues, the Cleo Hill game was not played.
Participating teams
The following 18 teams accepted invitations to the tournament and competed. Team records listed are from before the tournament started.
Team | Conference | Overall record |
---|---|---|
Appalachian State[3][4] | Sun Belt | 19–14 |
Coastal Carolina[5][6] | Sun Belt | 16–13 |
Detroit Mercy[7][8] | Horizon League | 14–15 |
Eastern Washington[9] | Big Sky | 18–15 |
Florida Gulf Coast[10] | Atlantic Sun | 21–11 |
Fresno State[11] | Mountain West | 19–13 |
Kent State[12] | MAC | 23–10 |
Maryland Eastern Shore[6] | MEAC | 11–15 |
Morgan State | MEAC | 13–14 |
New Orleans[13] | Southland | 18–13 |
Portland[14] | West Coast | 18–14 |
South Alabama[15][16] | Sun Belt | 19–11 |
Southeastern Louisiana[16] | Southland | 19–14 |
Southern Utah[12][17][18] | Big Sky | 20–11 |
USC Upstate[4] | Big South | 14–16 |
UTEP[19][20] | Conference USA | 19–13 |
Western Illinois[20] | Summit | 16–15 |
Youngstown State[21] | Horizon League | 18–14 |
Three programs accepted invitations, but withdrew prior to playing: Merrimack,[22][a] UMBC,[23][24] Wofford.[25][26]
The following programs declined invitations: Arkansas State,[27] Liberty,[28] Oakland,[8] Samford,[29] Sam Houston State,[30] Utah Valley,[18][30] Weber State.[18]
Schedule
Date | Time | Matchup | Score | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First round | |||||
March 15 | 6:30 p.m. | USC Upstate at Appalachian State | 80–74 | 2,146 | [31] |
March 16 | 7:00 p.m. | Detroit Mercy at Florida Gulf Coast | 79–95 | 505 | [32] |
The Zelmo Beaty Game Maryland Eastern Shore at Coastal Carolina |
42–66 | 923 | [33] | ||
8:00 p.m. | The Marques Haynes Game Morgan State at Youngstown State |
65–70 | 1,045 | [34] | |
The Travis Grant Game Southeastern Louisiana at South Alabama |
68–70 | 885 | [35] | ||
9:00 p.m. | The Willis Reed Game Kent State at Southern Utah |
79–83 | 1,316 | [36] | |
March 17 | 10:00 p.m. | Eastern Washington at Fresno State | 74–83 | 1,166 | [37] |
March 19 | 3:00 p.m. | Western Illinois at UTEP[b] | 54–80 | 3,500 | [39] |
10:00 p.m. | New Orleans at Portland | 73–94 | 659 | [40] | |
Second round | |||||
March 21 | 7:00 p.m. | Florida Gulf Coast at Coastal Carolina | 68–84 | 825 | [41] |
8:00 p.m. | USC Upstate at South Alabama | 79–83 | 699 | [42] | |
March 22 | 9:00 p.m. | Southern Utah at UTEP | 82–69 | 3,510 | [43] |
March 23 | 10:00 p.m. | Youngstown State at Fresno State | 71–80 | 1,754 | [44] |
Quarterfinals | |||||
March 26 | 6:00 p.m. | Portland at Southern Utah | 66–77 | 1,504 | [45] |
Semifinals | |||||
March 28 | 8:00 p.m. | Coastal Carolina at South Alabama | 69–68OT | [46] | |
10:00 p.m. | Southern Utah at Fresno State | 48–67 | [47] | ||
Championship | |||||
March 31 | Fresno State at Coastal Carolina | ||||
Game times in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4). All games broadcast on ESPN+.[48] |
Bracket
The Basketball Classic field was announced after the field for the NIT was released on March 13.
Note: Bracket is for visual purposes only. In lieu of a traditional bracket, the field and matchups are re-set after each round.
With an 18-team bracket, organizers chose to match one second-round winner against Portland, with three other second-round winners advancing directly to the semifinals.
First round March 16 | First/Second round March 15–19/March 22 | Second round/Quarterfinals March 21–23/March 26 | Semifinals March 28 | Championship March 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Detroit Mercy | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida Gulf Coast | 95 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida Gulf Coast | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Coastal Carolina | 84 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Maryland Eastern Shore | 42 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Coastal Carolina | 66 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Coastal Carolina | 69* | |||||||||||||||||||||||
South Alabama | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USC Upstate | 80 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Appalachian State | 74 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USC Upstate | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
South Alabama | 83 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Southeastern Louisiana | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
South Alabama | 70 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Coastal Carolina | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Orleans | 73 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Portland | 94 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Portland | 66 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Kent State | 79 | Southern Utah | 77 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Southern Utah | 83 | Southern Utah | 82 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Western Illinois | 54 | UTEP | 69 | |||||||||||||||||||||
UTEP | 80 | Southern Utah | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fresno State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan State | 65 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Youngstown State | 70 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Youngstown State | 71 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fresno State | 80 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Eastern Washington | 74 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fresno State | 83 |
Home teams listed second.
* – Denotes overtime periods
Awards
The following most valuable players were selected for each of the Legend Games:
- Zelmo Beaty Game – Rudi Williams, Coastal Carolina[49]
- Marques Haynes Game – Dwayne Cohill, Youngstown State[34]
- Travis Grant Game – Javon Franklin, South Alabama[50]
- Willis Reed Game – Dre Marin, Southern Utah[51]
Notes
References
- ^ "The Basketball Classic presented by Eracism" (PDF) (Press release). The Basketball Classic. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ "Legend Games" (PDF). The Basketball Classic. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "App State Accepts Invite to The Basketball Classic". appstatesports.com. Appalachian State University. March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
- ^ a b "App State to Host USC Upstate in The Basketball Classic First Round". Watauga Democrat. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ "Men's Basketball to Host Opening-Round Game of The Basketball Classic". goccusports.com. Coastal Carolina University. March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- ^ a b "Men's Basketball to Host UMES on Wednesday Night". Coastal Carolina University Athletics. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ "Men's Basketball Accepts Bid to The Basketball Classic, Travels to Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday". Detroit Mercy Titans. March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Paul, Tony (March 14, 2022). "Detroit Mercy Men's Basketball Plays On in 2022, Will Meet FGCU in Secondary Tournament". The Detroit News. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "Not Done Yet: Eagles to Play in Basketball Classic". EWU Athletic Department. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ Hardwig, Greg (March 9, 2022). "FGCU men picked for Basketball Classic, Fly era and search for his replacement continue". naplesnews.com. Naples News. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
- ^ Kuwada, Robert (March 13, 2022). "Fresno State Learns Its Basketball Postseason Fate. When the Bulldogs Play Next". The Fresno Bee. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ a b "Southern Utah to Host Kent State in First Round of The Basketball Classic". Southern Utah Thunderbirds. March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ "Privateers Selected To Play in The Basketball Classic". unoprivateers.com. University of New Orleans Radio. March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ^ "Portland Accepts Invitation to The Basketball Classic". portlandpilots.com. University of Portland. March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- ^ "Jag Men's Basketball Selected to Participate in The Basketball Classic". usajaguars.com. University of South Alabama. March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Stephenson, Creg (March 14, 2022). "South Alabama to Host Southeastern Louisiana in The Basketball Classic Tournament". AL.com. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ "Southern Utah Men's Basketball Accepts Invitation to Participate in The Basketball Classic". Southern Utah Thunderbirds. March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ a b c Allen, Trevor (March 15, 2022). "SUU to Play in The Basketball Classic; Weber State, UVU Decline Invites". KSL.com. Bonneville International. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ^ "UTEP Men's Basketball To Play In Basketball Classic For First Postseason Appearance Since 2015". utepminers.com. UTEP Athletics. March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Bloomquist, Bret (March 14, 2022). "UTEP Set to Face Western Illinois in Basketball Classic". El Paso Times. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ "Men's Basketball Accepts Invitation to The Basketball Classic". ysusports.com. Youngstown State University. March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
- ^ McMahon, Mike (March 14, 2022). "Merrimack Men's Basketball Accepts Bid in Post-season Tourney". The Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ UMBC Men's Basketball [@umbc_mbb] (March 13, 2022). "Just Like Tom Brady, We're Not Done Yet" (Tweet). Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Lee, Edward (March 16, 2022). "UMBC men's basketball withdraws from The Basketball Classic, citing lack of healthy players". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ "Wofford Accepts Invite to The Basketball Classic, Hosts First-Round Game". WoffordTerriers.com. Wofford College Athletics. March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
- ^ "Men's Basketball Withdraws From The Basketball Classic". woffordterriers.com. Wofford College Athletics. March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ Whaley, Logan (March 9, 2022). "Arkansas State basketball opts out of postseason play". KAIT. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
- ^ Liberty Men's Basketball [@LibertyMBB_] (March 7, 2022). "Thank You, Flames Nation, for a memorable season!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Men's Basketball Looks Forward Following Turnaround Season". samfordsports.com. Samford University. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ a b Matt Adkins [@CBB_RunThePoint] (March 13, 2022). "Confirmed that both Utah Valley and Sam Houston declined postseason tournament invites" (Tweet). Retrieved March 15, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "USC Upstate Beats App State 80-74 in The Basketball Classic". Daily Jefferson County Union. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ Hardwig, Greg (March 16, 2022). "College basketball: FGCU Men Outlast Detroit Mercy in The Basketball Classic". Naples Daily News. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ Coastal Carolina Athletics (March 16, 2022). "Williams Leads Coastal to First-Round Win in The Basketball Classic, 66–42". Live 5 WCSC. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ a b "Cohill Scores 28 as Penguins Top Morgan State 70-65 in The Basketball Classic". Youngstown State University. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ Stephenson, Creg (March 16, 2022). "South Alabama Holds Off Southeastern Louisiana 70-68 in First Round of The Basketball Classic". AL.com. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ^ Moff, Allen (March 16, 2022). "Update: Kent State's Season Ends with Narrow Loss at Southern Utah". Record-Courier. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ^ "Eastern Washington Ends Season with Loss at Fresno State". The Spokesman-Review. March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ "UTEP's Game Versus Western Illinois Postponed Until Saturday". utepminers.com. UTEP Athletics. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "UTEP Trounces Western Illinois, 80-54, To Advance To Second Round Of Basketball Classic". utepminers.com. March 19, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ "Portland Beats New Orleans for First Postseason Win". portlandpilots.com. March 19, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ "Williams, Mostafa Lead Coastal Past FGCU, 84-68". goccusports.com. March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ "Jag Men's Basketball Outlasts USC Upstate to Advance in The Basketball Classic". usajaguars.com. March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ "UTEP Bows Out Of Basketball Classic With 82-69 Setback To Southern Utah". utepminers.com. March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ "Youngstown St. at Fresno St. (Box Score)". ysusports.com. March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ "Men's Basketball vs University of Portland". suutbirds.com. March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
- ^ "Jag Men's Basketball Faces Familiar Foe in the Semifinals of The Basketball Classic". usajaguars.com. March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ @BarkBoard (March 23, 2022). "The Bulldogs will next host in the TBC semifinal round on Monday at 7 p.m. PT versus the winner of Southern Utah/Portland" (Tweet). Retrieved March 24, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Schedule/Results". The Basketball Classic. CollegeInsider.com. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "Williams Leads CCU Past UMES in The Basketball Classic". Coastal Carolina University Athletics. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jag Men's Basketball Wins First Postseason Game Since 1989, Defeats Southeastern Louisiana". South Alabama Jaguars. University of South Alabama. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ^ "Marin's 27-Point Performance Fuels Southern Utah to 83-79 Victory Over Kent State". Southern Utah Jaguars. Southern Utah University. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.