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2022 The Basketball Classic

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2022 The Basketball Classic
Season2021–22
Teams32 planned
21 bids accepted
18 teams competed
Finals siteHTC Center
Conway, South Carolina
ChampionsFresno State (1st title)
Runner-upCoastal Carolina (1st title game)
Semifinalists
Winning coachJustin Hutson (1st title)
MVPOrlando Robinson (Fresno State)
Attendance1,407 (championship game)
The Basketball Classics
  2023»

The 2022 The Basketball Classic (TBC) was 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 the championship game played on April 1. The tournament was won by the Fresno State Bulldogs. All games were streamed on ESPN+.

Structure

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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

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Zelmo Beaty, Cleo Hill, and Willis Reed, three Legend Game namesakes

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

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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 1,039 [46]
10:00 p.m. Southern Utah at Fresno State 48–67 3,006 [47]
Championship
April 1 6:00 p.m. Fresno State at Coastal Carolina 85–74 1,407 [48]
Game times in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4). All games broadcast on ESPN+.[49]

Bracket

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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
April 1
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 48
Fresno State 67
Morgan State 65
Youngstown State 70
Youngstown State 71
Fresno State 80
Eastern Washington 74
Fresno State 83
Fresno State 85
Coastal Carolina 74
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

Home teams listed second.
* – Denotes overtime periods

Awards

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The following most valuable players were selected for each of the Legend Games:

  • Zelmo Beaty Game – Rudi Williams, Coastal Carolina[50]
  • Marques Haynes Game – Dwayne Cohill, Youngstown State[34]
  • Travis Grant Game – Javon Franklin, South Alabama[51]
  • Willis Reed Game – Dre Marin, Southern Utah[52]

Notes

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  1. ^ After Merrimack's first-round opponent (UMBC) withdrew, Merrimack no longer appeared in the schedule section of the tournament's website.
  2. ^ Western Illinois at UTEP was originally scheduled for March 15, then postponed to March 19 due to travel issues for Western Illinois.[38]

References

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  1. ^ "The Basketball Classic presented by Eracism" (PDF) (Press release). The Basketball Classic. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  2. ^ "Legend Games" (PDF). The Basketball Classic. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  3. ^ "App State Accepts Invite to The Basketball Classic". appstatesports.com. Appalachian State University. March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "App State to Host USC Upstate in The Basketball Classic First Round". Watauga Democrat. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  5. ^ "Men's Basketball to Host Opening-Round Game of The Basketball Classic". goccusports.com. Coastal Carolina University. March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Men's Basketball to Host UMES on Wednesday Night". Coastal Carolina University Athletics. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Not Done Yet: Eagles to Play in Basketball Classic". EWU Athletic Department. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Kuwada, Robert (March 13, 2022). "Fresno State Learns Its Basketball Postseason Fate. When the Bulldogs Play Next". The Fresno Bee. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "Privateers Selected To Play in The Basketball Classic". unoprivateers.com. University of New Orleans Radio. March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  14. ^ "Portland Accepts Invitation to The Basketball Classic". portlandpilots.com. University of Portland. March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  15. ^ "Jag Men's Basketball Selected to Participate in The Basketball Classic". usajaguars.com. University of South Alabama. March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Stephenson, Creg (March 14, 2022). "South Alabama to Host Southeastern Louisiana in The Basketball Classic Tournament". AL.com. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  17. ^ "Southern Utah Men's Basketball Accepts Invitation to Participate in The Basketball Classic". Southern Utah Thunderbirds. March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ a b Bloomquist, Bret (March 14, 2022). "UTEP Set to Face Western Illinois in Basketball Classic". El Paso Times. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  21. ^ "Men's Basketball Accepts Invitation to The Basketball Classic". ysusports.com. Youngstown State University. March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  22. ^ McMahon, Mike (March 14, 2022). "Merrimack Men's Basketball Accepts Bid in Post-season Tourney". The Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ "Wofford Accepts Invite to The Basketball Classic, Hosts First-Round Game". WoffordTerriers.com. Wofford College Athletics. March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  26. ^ "Men's Basketball Withdraws From The Basketball Classic". woffordterriers.com. Wofford College Athletics. March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  27. ^ Whaley, Logan (March 9, 2022). "Arkansas State basketball opts out of postseason play". KAIT. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  28. ^ Liberty Men's Basketball [@LibertyMBB_] (March 7, 2022). "Thank You, Flames Nation, for a memorable season!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ^ "Men's Basketball Looks Forward Following Turnaround Season". samfordsports.com. Samford University. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ "USC Upstate Beats App State 80-74 in The Basketball Classic". Daily Jefferson County Union. March 15, 2022. Archived from the original on March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  32. ^ Hardwig, Greg (March 16, 2022). "College basketball: FGCU Men Outlast Detroit Mercy in The Basketball Classic". Naples Daily News. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ Moff, Allen (March 16, 2022). "Update: Kent State's Season Ends with Narrow Loss at Southern Utah". Record-Courier. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  37. ^ "Eastern Washington Ends Season with Loss at Fresno State". The Spokesman-Review. March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  38. ^ "UTEP's Game Versus Western Illinois Postponed Until Saturday". utepminers.com. UTEP Athletics. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  39. ^ "UTEP Trounces Western Illinois, 80-54, To Advance To Second Round Of Basketball Classic". utepminers.com. March 19, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  40. ^ "Portland Beats New Orleans for First Postseason Win". portlandpilots.com. March 19, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  41. ^ "Williams, Mostafa Lead Coastal Past FGCU, 84-68". goccusports.com. March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  42. ^ "Jag Men's Basketball Outlasts USC Upstate to Advance in The Basketball Classic". usajaguars.com. March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  43. ^ "UTEP Bows Out Of Basketball Classic With 82-69 Setback To Southern Utah". utepminers.com. March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  44. ^ "Youngstown St. at Fresno St. (Box Score)". ysusports.com. March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  45. ^ "Men's Basketball vs University of Portland". suutbirds.com. March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  46. ^ Stephenson, Creg (March 28, 2022). "South Alabama Basketball Season Ends on Last-Second 3-Pointer in OT vs. Coastal Carolina". AL.com. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  47. ^ Bemis, Scott (March 28, 2022). "Fresno State Beats Southern Utah, Reaches Championship Game of The Basketball Classic". yourcentralvalley.com. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  48. ^ "Chants Defeat South Alabama in Overtime in Semifinals of The Basketball Classic". goccusports.com. March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  49. ^ "Schedule/Results". The Basketball Classic. CollegeInsider.com. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  50. ^ "Williams Leads CCU Past UMES in The Basketball Classic". Coastal Carolina University Athletics. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  51. ^ "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.
  52. ^ "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.
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