Personally one of my favorite sports times of the year, is when College Football and College Basketball are being played at the same time. You know the time mid to late November. College Football when conference and national titles are still in play and College basketball when the pre-season tournaments can provide opportunities for non-conference match ups that will pay off come March. That is if you win…
It’s is a ways off, but still fun to look at what’s up ahead.
CBSSports.com has posted most of the College Basketball Pre-Season Tournament Dates and Fields for 2011 in a recent article.
Where did our favorite ACC teams end up?
Nov. 17-20
Charleston Classic: Georgia Tech
Brian Gregory has an absolute mess to clean up at Georgia Tech. NCAA tournament darling VCU and traditional power Kentucky are in this field. The Jackets could use any early season wins.
Nov. 17-20
Puerto Rico Tip Off: Maryland
Mark Turgeon replaces a legend Gary Williams. He faces a pretty solid field in Puerto Rico. Purdue and Alabama also scheduled to play.
Nov 13-17, 19, 21
Legends Classic: NC State
NC State fans probably won’t care how Mike Gottfried does in his first year. Pack fans are just glad Sidney Lowe is gone. Texas and Vanderbilt are also featured.
Nov 21-23
Maui Invitational: Duke
This is the best looking tournament of the pre-season with Georgetown, Kansas, and Duke headlining. Winner here will have earned it.
Nov 23-27
Battle 4 Atlantis: Florida State
Defending national champion Connecticut is here. Florida State should have a top 25 quality team. This is a good chance for the Noles to make an early statement.
Nov. 24-25, 27
76 Classic: Boston College
Ok Eagles here’s your opportunity for some quality non conference wins, that you needed so badly last year. Villanova will also be here.
Nov. 24-25, 27
Old Spice Classic: Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons made a hard push last season to be the worst ACC team of the last 30 years. The made it close, but their single ACC win, kept them simply as one of the worst. Operation respectability starts here.
Dec. 22-23, 25
Diamond Head Classic: Clemson
This is a decent, but not spectacular field. If the Tigers don’t make it to the finals it will be a disappointment. Kansas St. and Xavier will be there as well.
Nov. 18-21
Paradise Jam: Virginia
Can Virginia start turning the corner? It can start at the Paradise Jam. Marquette is the best looking team here.
Nov 14-16, Nov 23, 25
Pre-season NIT: Virginia Tech
Good move for Virginia Tech to get in a marquee pre-season tournament. The Hokies have gotten killed recent years for poor scheduling. A deep run here is very important come March.
Nov 25-26
Las Vegas Invitational: North Carolina
It would be shocking if the loaded Heels don’t dominate this tournament. USC, UNLV, and South Carolina will try to crash UNC’s party.
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