April 26, 2008
Seattle, Washington -- Eight division I women’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 women’s field, with seven of the eight participants reaching the post season in 2008. Three 2008 Paradise Jam participants: Baylor, California and Iowa reached the NCAA tournament. Four played in the post-season WNIT: South Florida, Texas Tech, Villanova and Wisconsin. Central Florida rounds out the eight team field.

Baylor and California both advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament before falling. Baylor beat Wyoming in the first round before succumbing to Pittsburgh in second round action. California advanced to the second round with a win over San Diego, but fell to George Washington in the second round. Iowa fell in the first round to Georgia. Although these three NCAA-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.

Texas Tech and Villanova both reached the third round of the post-season WNIT before falling to TCU and Colorado respectively. Wisconsin lost to fellow Paradise Jam participant, Villanova in the second round. The two will face off on Thanksgiving Day in the islands. South Florida fell in the first round of the WNIT. Central Florida rounds out the eight-team Paradise Jam field, making it one of the most competitive, neutral court, early season tournaments in America. Two teams will make return visits to the islands. Texas Tech returns to the Paradise Jam to defend its 2000 title. Wisconsin placed third in the 2001 Paradise Jam.

The Paradise Jam consists of two separate tournaments. Each is a four-team, three-game round robin event. One is called the "Island Division Tournament” and the other is called the “Reef Division Tournament.” Both are Multiple Team Event (MTE) tournaments. An MTE tournament counts as only two games against a team’s annual maximum of 29 games, despite playing three games at the tournament.

All four teams in the Paradise Jam Reef Division Tournament competed in the 2008 Post Season: California and Iowa in the NCAA Tournament and Texas Tech and South Florida in the Post Season NIT. Competition begins on Thanksgiving Day, November 27th at 7:00 PM with Texas Tech playing Iowa, followed by the 9:30 PM game where South Florida will battle California. Games continue on November 28th with Iowa vs. South Florida at 7:00 PM and California vs. Texas Tech at 9:30 PM. The remaining match ups will conclude on November 29th at 7:00 PM (South Florida vs. Texas Tech) and 9:30 PM (California vs. Iowa).

The Paradise Jam Island Division Tournament includes one NCAA tournament participant in Baylor and two Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) participants in Villanova and Wisconsin. The field is completed by Central Florida. Competition begins November 27th at 2:00 PM with a matchup between Villanova and Wisconsin, followed by the 4:30 PM game where Central Florida will play Baylor. Games continue on November 28th with Wisconsin vs. Central Florida at 2:00 PM and Baylor vs. Villanova at 4:30 PM. Competition concludes on November 29th at 2:00 PM (Central Florida vs. Villanova) and 4:30 PM (Wisconsin vs. Baylor).

All game times are listed in Atlantic Standard Time, which is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Games will be played at the U.V.I. Sports and Fitness Center, the Caribbean’s premier basketball facility.
In 2007 Paradise Jam action, Connecticut defeated Duke to claim the St. Thomas crown. Stanford narrowly defeated Temple for third place and Old Dominion finished ahead of Purdue with a win in the consolation game. All six teams competed in the 2008 NCAA tournament, which saw Stanford defeat Connecticut to advance to NCAA Championship game.

In the St. John Championship game, Wake Forest defeated Wichita State to take home the Paradise Jam St. John tournament crown. In the consolation game, Texas A&M overcame Indiana to finish second.

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.