Cayman Islands Classic 2018 line-up announced

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 18 April 2018

The line-up of United States college basketball teams has been unveiled for the second annual Cayman Islands Classic to be played 19-21 November, 2018.

Caymax Sports Ltd., in conjunction with Global Sports Management, made the announcement on 17 April that Clemson, Creighton, Georgia State and St. Bonaventure, which competed in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, will headline the eight-team invitational tournament.

Akron, Boise State, Georgia and Illinois State also will play in the tournament which will be held at John Gray Gymnasium.

The Cayman Islands Classic is the latest in offerings of sports tourism in the three-island British Overseas Territory. “We are excited to host the second year of this tournament in the Cayman Islands,“ said Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell.

“Last year’s tournament was a great success with over 1,000 fans visiting our Islands and the feedback received from the teams and visitors alike was extremely positive. The organisers are working hard to create an even more amazing experience for this year’s teams and visitors as they grace our shores to experience great basketball and a true Caymankind welcome,” added Kirkconnell, who is also the deputy premier.

Clemson, under the guidance of coach Brad Brownell, was ranked No. 15 in the final USA Today coaches poll while tying a school record with a 25-10 mark advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time since 1997. The Tigers tied for third in the Atlantic Coast Conference this past season with a school-record 11 league victories. For his efforts Brownell was recognised as Sports Illustrated College Basketball Coach of the Year.

Creighton posted a 21-12 record, finishing third in the Big East Conference, while advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in the last seven years.

Georgia State went 24-11 this past season, while making its second NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four years under head coach Ron Hunter. The Panthers won the Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship after finishing runner-up during the regular season.

St. Bonaventure achieved a school-record 26-8 mark while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after beating UCLA in the opening round which was the program’s first NCAA victory since 1970. The Bonnies finished second in the Atlantic 10 Conference with a 14-4 record.

Boise State went 23-9 last season, while playing in the NIT. The Broncos finished second in the Mountain West Conference with a 13-5 record.

Georgia, welcoming new coach Tom Crean, was 18-15 overall last year. Illinois State also went 18-15 this past season, including a 10-8 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference. Akron, which plays in the Mid-American Conference, was 14-18 last season.