Fans of UVI’s Bucs basketball get their traditional, pre-season peek at the team in action against a Liga Atletica Interuniversitaria (LAI) opponent during the men’s round of this year’s Paradise Jam, in a game at the Sports and Fitness Center at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22. The Bucs will host the University of Central Bayamon in the day’s third game.
The matchup will also be the public debut for UVI’s new head basketball coach Myron Brown, who recently joined the program. Brown comes to UVI from St. Thomas University in Miami, Fla. A native of Detroit, he has coached at a number of small colleges including his alma mater, Rochester College in Michigan, in both assistant and head coach positions.
The 15th annual edition of the NCAA Division I Paradise Jam Tournament on St. Thomas runs from Nov. 21 to 24. Action in the women’s division follows from Nov. 27-29. The tourney tips off at Friday, Nov. 21, at 2:30 p.m. when Clemson University goes up against Gardner-Webb University. Rounding out the eight men’s teams are Illinois State University, Louisiana State University, University of Nevada, Old Dominion University, Seton Hall University and Weber State University. The championship men’s game is slated for 7:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 24.
The women’s tournament features eight teams in two divisions. Island Division teams are Clemson University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Ohio State University and Wichita State University. Teams playing in the Reef Division are Illinois University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Oklahoma and the University of South Florida.
The Paradise Jam website – http://paradisejam.com, has details on all game schedules and information on TV coverage and web access. Tickets are available at the UVI Bookstore, Champs at the Tutu Park Mall and at the door. Ticket prices at the door are: $5 for VI children and students - ages 5 to 18 (including UVI students with ID); $10 for V.I. senior citizens 65 or older and military personnel; $15 for V.I. adult residents with local ID; and $35 for non-V.I. residents.