LAS VEGAS – Three Top-25 teams in the pre-season Associated Press Poll will be in action at inaugural MGM Grand Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013. In the new poll released Thursday, the nationally televised doubleheader will feature No. 17 Marquette vs. No. 23 New Mexico followed by No. 8 Oklahoma State vs. Colorado. The Buffaloes, picked to finish third by the media in the Pac-12 Conference, just missed the preseason coaches ranking, finishing four spots outside the Top 25, and listed among “others receiving votes.”
The doubleheader, played at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, benefits Coaches vs. Cancer, an initiative spearheaded by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society. The event is managed by bd Global, LLC, a Lexington, Ky.-based sports marketing firm.
“Where else can fans catch four teams at a destination location like the MGM Grand on one of the biggest sports Saturdays in December?” said Fran Fraschilla, an analyst for ESPN, which will televise the doubleheader. “All four of the teams will contend for their conference title, and all four will likely play into the second week of the NCAA Tournament.”
The talent among the four teams is strong as well, led by Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart, who many thought would have been a top NBA pick had he turned pro this past spring. Just this week, the AP also chose Smart as its only unanimous selection to its Preseason All-America team. At the MGM, Smart will be in action along with New Mexico’s Kendall Williams, the Mountain West Player of the Year last season, Marquette’s Davante Gardner, and Colorado’s Spencer Dinwiddie, who has been ranked as one of the nation’s top-25 returning players. The event’s talent level has nearly every NBA team sending scouts for the event along with several NBA general managers have made requests for credentials as well.
Tickets range from $30 – $250 (courtside seating), not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on-sale at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. MGM room rates for the weekend are priced at $75 per night and can be booked by visiting www.mgmgrandshowcase.com.
Complete event information can be found at www.mgmgrandshowcase.com. For group sales or sponsorship opportunities, interested parties should contact bd Global at 859-951-6141.