2008 PARADISE JAM – April 28, 2008

Seattle, Washington -- Eight division I men’s basketball teams will travel to St. Thomas to participate in the 9th annual U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Tournament at the University of the Virgin Islands. Basketball fans can look forward to an impressive men’s field, with four of the 2008 participants earning berths to the NCAA tournament last March. Wisconsin, Connecticut, Miami and San Diego each competed in the NCAA tournament. Wisconsin advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to tournament Cinderella, Davidson. Miami beat St. Marys in the first round before succumbing to Texas in second round action. San Diego advanced to the second round with a win over fellow 2008 Paradise Jam participant, Connecticut. Although these four NCAA-hardened squads bring high expectations to the islands this November, they will be hard-pressed by the other four teams also seeking early season success. Valparaiso, Southern Mississippi, La Salle and Iona round out the eight-team Paradise Jam field, making it one of the most competitive, neutral court, early season tournaments in America. La Salle will be the first team ever to appear in three Paradise Jam tournaments. The Explorers placed third in 2001 and sixth in 2003. Two former Paradise Jam champions will return to islands to defend their titles: Wisconsin (2005 Champion) and Miami (2001 Champion).

Competition begins on November 21 with consecutive-day action culminating in the championship round on November 24. The 2008 Paradise Jam will tip off with Miami playing Southern Mississippi at 2:00 pm on the 21st. The day’s other matchups include San Diego vs Valparaiso at 4:30 pm, La Salle vs. Connecticut at 7:00 pm and Iona battling Wisconsin at 9:30 pm. All game times are Atlantic Standard Time (one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time). Two games will be played daily on November 22 (losing teams from the 21st) and November 23 (winning teams from the 21st) at 7:00pm and 9:30pm. The final day of competition on November 24 will be structured similarly to the first day. The game times are set for 2:00 pm, 4:30 pm, and 7:00 pm with the championship game at 9:30 pm. 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 2007 Paradise Jam action, Baylor defeated Winthrop to take home the Paradise Jam crown. Georgia Tech scored in the closing seconds of overtime to beat Notre Dame and take third place, Monmouth captured fourth place with an overtime victory over Charlotte and Wichita State finished ahead of University of Illinois at Chicago.

Contact:
Jennifer Ashby
Paradise Jam Tournament Director
Basketball Travelers, Inc
425.776.2775
425.776.4094 FAX
Email: Jenn@BasketballTravelers.com

Read the 2007 Team Overview.
Read the 2006 Team Overview.
Read the 2005 Team Overview.
Read the 2004 Team Overview.
Read the 2003 Team Overview.