Sept. 24, 2002 – For the third year, the University of the Virgin Islands and Basketball Travelers Inc. are bringing some great NCAA basketball action to the Virgin Islands. And this year they've netted a real gem: Duke University women's team has just been voted No. 1 in two preseason polls.
"We are extremely excited to have the preseason No. 1 team in the nation playing in the third annual UVI Paradise Jam tournament," said UVI athletic director Peter Sauer.
Thirteen Division I men's and women's teams will converge on St. Thomas for the third annual UVI Paradise Jam. The series of three tournaments (one men's and two women's) will be held at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center from Nov. 22 to Nov. 30.
UVI is tournament host, and Basketball Travelers is the tournament organizer.
This year's men's tournament should match the excitement of last year's games. The six-team field for the 2002 tournament includes Michigan from the Big 10, Brigham Young University (Utah) of the Mountain West, Kansas State from the Big 12, Toledo (Ohio) of the MAC, St. Bonaventure (N.Y.) from the Atlantic 10, and Virginia Tech of the Big East. Games will be played on Nov. 22-24, with the championship round set for Nov. 25.
This year's women's field will feature seven teams competing in two brackets. The "St. Thomas" bracket consists of Oregon (Pac 10), South Carolina (SEC) and Boston College (Big East). The "St. John" bracket features Duke (ACC), Arkansas (SEC), Old Dominion (Colonial) and Hampton (MEAC). Both women's tournaments will be played Nov. 28-30.
Four of the women's teams placed on last year's Top 25 AP poll, and three of the four "St. John" contenders have reached as far as an NCAA Final Four championship. Both women's brackets "boast strong experienced teams looking to go deep" in the NCAA championships, said a release.
The Miami Hurricanes captured last year's inaugural men's championship, defeating Clemson in a closely contested match. Last year's women's three-division championship winners were Texas, Arizona State and Florida State.
The schedule is published here. Check later news articles for information about tickets.
Nov. 22
6:15 p.m. St. Bonaventure vs. Virginia Tech
8:30 p.m. BYU vs. Toledo
Nov. 23
6:15 p.m. Kansas State vs. BYU
8:30 p.m. Michigan vs. St. Bonaventure
Nov. 24
6:15 p.m. Toledo vs. Kansas State
8:30 p.m. Virginia Tech vs. Michigan
Nov. 25
4 p.m. Fifth Place Consolation
6:15 p.m. Third Place Consolation
8:30 p.m. Men's Championship Game
Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day)
4 p.m. Duke vs. Hampton
6:15 p.m. Arkansas vs. Old Dominion
8:30 p.m. South Carolina vs. Oregon
Nov. 29
5 p.m. Hampton vs. Arkansas
6:15 p.m. Old Dominion vs. Duke
8:30 p.m. Oregon vs. Boston College
Nov. 30
4 p.m Boston College vs. South Carolina
6:15 p.m. Hampton vs. Old Dominion
8:30 p.m. Duke vs. Arkansas
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
