Cincinnati-Dayton series continues with Hoops Classic presented by CareSource rematch

CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati-Dayton series continues during the upcoming 2024-25 men’s basketball season when the two longtime rivals clash at the Hoops Classic presented by CareSource on Dec. 20 at Heritage Bank Center in downtown Cincinnati. The contest was announced Monday by veteran event promoter, bdG Sports.

Tip time and television information will be announced later.

The Flyers claimed an 82-68 victory over the Bearcats last season when the two schools met at Heritage Bank Center on Dec. 16, 2023. The matchup marked the first meeting between the two schools since 2010.

Cincinnati brings back four starters from its 2023-24 unit that registered a 22-15 record during its first season in the Big 12 Conference. The Bearcats advanced to the quarterfinals of the NIT.

Dayton returns three starters from last year’s squad that posted a 25-8 overall mark and finished third in the Atlantic 10 Conference standings. The Flyers earned a No. 7 seed in NCAA tournament, advancing to the second round.

Cincinnati and Dayton have met 92 times in series history with the Bearcats holding a 60-32 advantage. The rivalry is the third longest in program history for both schools. Cincinnati has played only Miami (Ohio) [149 games] and Louisville [99] more times while Dayton has faced only Xavier [159] and Miami (Ohio) [132] more often.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets go on sale starting Thursday, July 18 at 10 a.m., at HeritageBankCenter.com, Ticketmaster.com or through the Ticketmaster app.

Like last season’s contest, the atmosphere inside Heritage Bank Center should be electric with the two fan bases seated in separate halves of the arena. In the lower bowl, sections 112-128 will be designated for Cincinnati fans while sections 108-132 will be earmarked for Dayton fans. Sections 110 and 130 at midcourt will each be divided among the schools as well. The upper bowl will be divided in a similar fashion.

BBN Invitational MTE announced as part of Kentucky’s 2024-25 non-conference schedule

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky men’s basketball team has set its 2024-25 nonconference schedule, head coach Mark Pope announced Wednesday. The 13-game nonconference schedule includes nine home contests in Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, an away tilt at Clemson and three neutral-site matchups.

The Southeastern Conference slate, along with television networks and game times will be announced at a later date.

Rhode Island to join Louisville, Calgary, UVic and The Bahamas at Baha Mar Hoops Summer League

NASSAU, The Bahamas – Rhode Island men’s basketball is bound for the Bahamas this August.

The Rams will participate in the 2024 Baha Mar Hoops Summer League, Aug. 4-9, in Nassau, Bahamas. The six-day foreign tour features a trio of games played against international competition at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts and Entertainment Center onsite at the stunning Baha Mar resort.

International opponents include teams from the University of Calgary (Canada), the University of Victoria (Canada) and the Bahamas. The full Baha Mar Hoops Summer League schedule, including previously announced Louisville men’s basketball, is as follows:

  • Tuesday, July 30 – Louisville vs. Bahamas, 7 p.m. ET
  • Thursday, Aug. 1 – Louisville vs. Calgary, Noon ET
  • Monday, Aug. 5 – Rhode Island vs. University of Calgary, 6 p.m. ET
  • Wednesday, Aug. 7 – Rhode Island vs. University of Victoria, 6 p.m. ET
  • Thursday, Aug. 8 – Rhode Island vs. Bahamas, 6 p.m. ET

“The opportunity to bring our program to a destination site like the Baha Mar resort and the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League is exciting,” Rhode Island head coach Archie Miller said. “Any chance to give your team live game action against any opponent helps build team chemistry, especially where we are blending a returning nucleus with several newcomers. Trips like this are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that give the team members lasting memories.”

In its third season under Miller, Rhode Island returns six players, including the top two scorers from last season, David Green (14.3 points/game) and Jaden House (14.1 points/game). Rising sophomores David Fuchs (7.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game) and Cam Estevez (7.1 points/game) are foundational pieces who impressed in their first season a year ago. The Rams also brought in five transfers, four of which come from Power 5 programs. Jamarques Lawrence (Nebraska), Sebastian Thomas (UAlbany), Quentin Diboundje (Tennessee/East Carolina), Javonte Brown (Texas A&M/Western Michigan) and Drissa Traore (St. John’s) all figure to make an immediate impact.

NCAA rules allow for a foreign tour by an intercollegiate team once every four academic years. The Baha Mar Hoops Summer League is managed by bdG Sports, a Lexington-based event marketing firm which annually operates two dozen collegiate men’s and women’s basketball games at Baha Mar each November.

“Baha Mar is without question the hottest resort in the world with so many entertainment options onsite,” President and CEO of bdG Sports Brooks Downing said. “It should make for a memorable experience for Rhode Island and its fans.”

FAN PACKAGES ON SALE NOW

The trip serves as the first up-close opportunity to catch the Rams in action as Rhode Island gears up for the coming 2024-25 campaign. Fans interested in attending the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League can request additional details on fan packages by emailing [email protected]. Packages include accommodations at the Baha Mar resort, welcome reception tickets, game tickets, breakfast vouchers and other amenities. Game tickets are on sale now at www.bahamarhoops.com.

 MORE THAN BASKETBALL AWAITS AT THE BEAUTIFUL BAHA MAR RESORT

The remarkable Baha Mar resort serves as the backdrop to this basketball showcase. Anchored by Grand Hyatt and featuring SLS Baha Mar and Rosewood Baha Mar, the resort is situated on 1,000 acres overlooking Nassau’s famous turquoise ocean waters. The destination resort boasts more than 2,300 rooms, the largest casino in the Caribbean, a $200 million luxury water park, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, the Caribbean’s first and only flagship ESPA Spa and a collection of more than 45 restaurants and lounges.

 ABOUT BAHA MAR HOOPS

As part of Baha Mar Hoops, the resort welcomes 20 NCAA men’s and women’s teams for a three-tournament, regular-season event each November as well as holds a summer league that includes exhibition games against international competition as part of a foreign tour. The resort has welcomed Kentucky, Xavier and Penn State for summer exhibition tours in recent years.

BAHA MAR HOOPS SOCIAL TAGS

Keep up to date with the latest information regarding Bah Mar Hoops via social media at @BahaMarHoops on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Louisville Men’s Basketball announced for 2024 Baha Mar Hoops Summer League

NASSAU, The Bahamas – University of Louisville men’s basketball fans can gain their first look at Pat Kelsey’s 2024-25 Cardinals squad when it plays a pair of exhibition games against international competition as part of the 2024 Baha Mar Hoops Summer League, July 28-Aug. 2, in Nassau, Bahamas.

The six-day trip features two exhibition games – Tuesday, July 30 and Thursday, Aug. 1 – played at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts and Entertainment Center onsite at the stunning Baha Mar resort. Game times and opponents will be announced later.

“I’m excited for our team to participate in the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League in just a few weeks,” Kelsey said. “We’ve brought so many new pieces to our program and the practice and playing time this trip will allow us is invaluable to our team. It will be a vital time for us on the court, but it will also give us plenty of opportunities to gel off the court as well. I hope by taking this trip, we have a real advantage when it comes time to start practicing in the fall.”

Kelsey, who was named to lead Louisville’s storied program in March, comes to The Ville after 12 seasons as a collegiate head coach, including his last three at the College of Charleston and the previous nine at Winthrop. He boasts an impressive 261-122 record (68.1%) across his head coaching career with 11 total conference championships and four NCAA Tournament bids.

Kelsey and his staff are off to a great start having crafted a roster for the 2024-25 season that includes one of the best transfer portal classes in the country. The transfer class has made 13 NCAA appearances over their individual careers. Four incoming transfers have scored at least 1,000 career points and six have played over 2,000 career minutes. The group also holds a Division I winning percentage of .625 over their careers.

NCAA rules allow for a foreign tour by an intercollegiate team once every four academic years. The Baha Mar Hoops Summer League is managed by bdG Sports, a Lexington-based event marketing firm which annually operates two dozen collegiate men’s and women’s basketball games at Baha Mar each November.

“Baha Mar is without question the hottest resort in the world with so many entertainment options onsite,” President and CEO of bdG Sports Brooks Downing said. “It will be an incredible host for the Cardinals and their amazing fan base.”

FAN PACKAGES ON SALE NOW

The trip serves as the first up-close opportunity to catch the Cardinals in action as the Kelsey coaching era begins. Louisville fans interested in attending the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League can request additional details on fan packages by emailing [email protected]. Packages include accommodations at the Baha Mar resort, welcome reception tickets, game tickets, breakfast vouchers and other amenities. Game tickets will be available for purchase in advance at www.bahamarhoops.com beginning Tuesday, June 25 or at the door on game dates.

MORE THAN BASKETBALL AWAITS AT THE BEAUTIFUL BAHA MAR RESORT

The remarkable Baha Mar resort serves as the backdrop to this basketball showcase. Anchored by Grand Hyatt and featuring SLS Baha Mar and Rosewood Baha Mar, the resort is situated on 1,000 acres overlooking Nassau’s famous turquoise ocean waters. The destination resort boasts more than 2,300 rooms, the largest casino in the Caribbean, a $200 million luxury water park, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, the Caribbean’s first and only flagship ESPA Spa and a collection of more than 45 restaurants and lounges.

ABOUT BAHA MAR HOOPS

As part of Baha Mar Hoops, the resort welcomes 20 NCAA men’s and women’s teams for a three-tournament, regular-season event each November as well as holds a summer league that includes exhibition games against international competition as part of a foreign tour. The resort has welcomed Kentucky, Xavier and Penn State for summer exhibition tours in recent years.

BAHA MAR HOOPS SOCIAL TAGS

Keep up to date with the latest information regarding Bah Mar Hoops via social media at @BahaMarHoops on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

34 college basketball teams that participated in bdG events advance to postseason play for 2023-24

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A total of 34 NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball programs that participated in bdG Sports-produced events during the 2023-24 regular season, have advanced to postseason play. Twenty men’s and women’s squads punched their tickets to the NCAA Tournament.

bdG Sports, a leader in turn-key event management with a primary focus in basketball and professional golf, is one of the industry leaders in college basketball games produced annually. From summer exhibition tours to multiple high-profile neutral-site games and in-season tournaments – such as the Continental Tire Main Event at T-Mobile Arena, Gulf Coast Showcase in Fort Myers, Florida, and more than 20 teams participating in three Baha Mar Hoops events in Nassau, Bahamas – bdG contracted nearly 150 regular-season men’s and women’s Division I basketball games during the 2023-24 campaign. bdG Sports is proud to also be the only third-party operator which manages a conference tournament, assisting The Big West Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championships each March in Henderson, Nevada.

Men’s basketball teams that took part in events owned or operated by bdG Sports and have advanced to postseason play include NCAA Tournament participants Arizona, Baylor, Dayton, FAU, Illinois, Kentucky, Long Beach State, Michigan State, New Mexico, Saint Mary’s and San Diego State and NIT participants UC Irvine, Cincinnati, Georgia, Indiana State, Kansas State, Providence and Xavier.

Women’s basketball teams that took part in events owned or managed by bdG Sports and have advanced to postseason play include NCAA Tournament participants Columbia, FGCU, Florida State, Iowa, Kansas State North Carolina, Ohio State, USC and Stanford. Belmont, Florida, and Penn State will play in the WBIT while Cal Poly, UC Riverside, Purdue and Vermont will take part in the WNIT.

Jeremy Paul holds off late rallies to win the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic

GREAT EXUMA, The Bahamas– With back-to-back bogey-free 5-under 67s in the third and final rounds, Jeremy Paul held off Class of 2022 Korn Ferry Tour graduate Kevin Roy and 2023 NCAA Championship runner-up Ross Steelman Wednesday evening, as the 29-year-old German earned his first career Korn Ferry Tour win at The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay.

Dayton beats Cincinnati 82-68 in Hoops Classic

CINCINNATI — — DaRon Holmes II had 28 points, Kobe Elvis scored 27 and Dayton cruised to an 82-68 victory over Cincinnati on Saturday.

Holmes made 10 of 17 shots with three 3-pointers for the Flyers (8-2), who have won five in a row. He added seven rebounds and blocked five shots to extend his school record to 171 in his career. Elvis made 6 of 11 shots with a 3-pointer and all 14 of his free throws. He added five rebounds and three assists. Koby Brea scored 12 off the bench on 4-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc.

Michigan State tops No. 6 Baylor in Continental Tire Motor City Invitational

DETROIT — — Michigan State needed more than a month to look like the team respected enough to be ranked No. 4 in the preseason AP Top 25.

Tyson Walker scored 18 of his 25 points in the first half to help build a huge lead and the struggling Spartans went on to stun previously unbeaten and sixth-ranked Baylor 88-64 Saturday.

“It was a step in the right direction,” coach Tom Izzo said. “It shows you what we can be against a very, very good team.”

Kentucky beats Penn 81-66 in Malone’s Classic presented by Campbell’s in Philly

PHILADELPHIA — Aaron Bradshaw heard the cheers on each rebound, each big basket — yes, even on a 3-pointer — from nearly four dozen friends and family members in the crowd, who made the Kentucky star feel like he was home again playing for Camden High School.

Bradshaw and the Wildcats took over Philly, from four area players in the roster, to the bulk of the 9,000-plus fans in attendance, to even scoreboard advertising for Lexington-area business that turned the home of the 76ers into a little slice of Rupp Arena.