2010 US Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Participants & Bracket Announced
4/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
SEATTLE, WA. - The U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam tournament directors released the 2010 men's basketball tournament field and bracket. The eight NCAA division I men's basketball teams participating in the 11th annual event include Xavier, Alabama, Seton Hall, Clemson, Old Dominion, Iowa, Long Beach State and Saint Peter's. The tournament is held annually in November at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, USVI.
Seton Hall's first round opponent will be Alabama on Nov. 19, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. eastern standard time. Should the Pirates defeat the Crimson Tide, they will take on the winner of the game between Iowa and Xavier on Nov. 21 at 8:30 p.m. Seton Hall will play a third game on Nov. 22 with the opponent and time to be determined.
This will be only the third time ever that Seton Hall has faced Alabama. The Crimson Tide have won the prior two meetings. In their last meeting, Alabama bounced Seton Hall from the 2001 NIT, an 85-79 victory in the tournament's first round. As for second round opponents, Seton Hall lost their only prior meeting with Iowa in 1982 and own a 4-2 record in six all-time meetings with Xavier, the most recent meeting in 1979.
Three of this year's tournament entrants, Xavier, Clemson and Old Dominion, earned berths to the NCAA tournament in March. Xavier advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to Kansas State in double overtime. Old Dominion advanced to the second round before falling to Baylor and Clemson lost in the first round. Although these three NCAA tournament-hardened squads bring high expectations to the islands this November, they will be hard-pressed by the other five teams also seeking early season success, making the Paradise Jam one of the most competitive, neutral-court, early-season tournaments in America. Fox College Sports and Fox Sports Net will broadcast at least four of the games nationally.
The 2010 tournament features more new coaches (three) than any previous field. Seton Hall will be led by new coach Kevin Willard, a Paradise Jam alumni who coached Iona in the 2008 Paradise Jam. Clemson will be guided by recently hired coach Brad Brownell, and Fran McCaffery took over the helm at Iowa.
All games will be played at the state-of-the-art University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.
In 2009 Paradise Jam action, Purdue edged out Tennessee in the final seconds for the Paradise Jam championship. DePaul beat Saint Joseph's to take third place, Northern Iowa defeated Boston College to capture fourth place, and South Dakota State edged East Carolina for 7th place.
If you're interested in joining the Pirates in the U.S. Virgin Islands, please CLICK HERE for information on how to travel with Pirate Blue for this exclusive Seton Hall men's basketball opportunity.
