The University of the Virgin Islands will host the 2014 Paradise Jam beginning Friday, Nov. 21, in the Sports and Fitness Center on the St. Thomas Campus. The highly anticipated NCAA Division I Basketball pre-season tournament tips off at 2:30 p.m. with the men’s games when Clemson University goes up against Gardner-Webb University. This year’s teams also include 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 scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24.
The action in the women's tournament starts on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27, and continues to Nov. 29. There are two divisions of women’s play. In the tourney’s “Island Division” 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.
UVI Interim Athletic Director Curtis Glipin said that the UVI Sports and Fitness Center is ready for the 2014 Paradise Jam. The tournament has been hosted at UVI for 14 of its 15 years.
Glipin said that UVI works very hard to make sure the facility is in tip-top shape. This year the Sports and Fitness Center has made a few changes, including a brand new look for the entrance. “When you come on down you will see what is happening,” said Glipin.
Nels Hawkinson, executive director of Basketball Travelers Inc., said that this year the top seven sponsors viewing the event will have the opportunity to hang out at in the beach zone – located on the south end of the facility on the second-floor underneath the windows near the bleachers. There will be hammocks, live palm trees, beach chairs, beach balls and a kiddy pool. Roving Sports Reporter Monyka Johnigan will take time between the action to conduct interviews on the sidelines. Hawkinson said that he hopes to attract the attention of CBS Sports viewers and spark the interest of people to visit the Virgin Islands.
Watch on CBS Sports News and Web Simulcast
CBS Sports Network will televise the men’s first round and semi-final games on Nov. 21 and 23, along with the third-place and championship games on Nov. 24. Basketball Travelers Inc. will live stream all games worldwide on www.paradisejam.com; however games aired on CBS Sports Network will only be available on www.paradisejam.com outside of the United States.
Men’s Basketball Live Broadcast Schedule
Nov. 21 at 2:30 p.m. – Clemson vs. Gardner-Webb – ParadiseJam.com
Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. – Seton Hall vs. Nevada – CBS Sports Network (on ParadiseJam.com outside the U.S. and Canada)
Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. – LSU vs. Old Dominion – CBS Sports Network (on ParadiseJam.com outside the U.S. and Canada)
Nov. 21 at 10 p.m. – Illinois St. vs. Weber St. – ParadiseJam.com
Nov. 22 at 3:30 p.m. – Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 – ParadiseJam.com
Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. – Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 – ParadiseJam.com
Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. – Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 – CBS Sports Network (on ParadiseJam.com outside the U.S. and Canada)
Nov. 23 at 10:30 p.m. – Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 – CBS Sports Network (on ParadiseJam.com outside the U.S. and Canada)
Nov. 24 at 2:30 p.m. – 7th and 8th Place Game – ParadiseJam.com
Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. – 4th and 6th Place Game – ParadiseJam.com
Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. – Consolation (3rd place/5th place) Game – CBS Sports Network (on ParadiseJam.com outside the U.S. and Canada)
Nov. 24 at 10 p.m. – Championship Game – CBS Sports Network (on ParadiseJam.com outside the U.S. and Canada)
The site also has details on the men’s and women’s brackets and video from the 2014 press conference. The tournament’s broadcasts will also include features on UVI’s Etelman Observatory and the Research and Technology Park on the Albert A. Sheen Campus. UVI supporters are encouraged to share their Paradise Jam experiences on UVI’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/uvi.edu and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/UVI_edu and follow the handle @UVI_edu.
UVI Men’s Bucs Basketball to Play on Saturday
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 game will be available online via MDM. Inc.’s live stream at http://new.livestream.com/mdmvi.
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. “We expect great things out of him and out of the program,” said Glipin.
UVI’s Bucs men’s squad lost a close-fought battle in the final minutes in 2013 in their traditional Paradise Jam matchup with LAI rivals Metropolitan University (UMET). The Bucs 82-78 loss to UMET also snapped their four-game Paradise Jam winning streak.
In 2012, the Bucs defeated Metropolitan University 62-57, before an enthusiastic home crowd. UVI fans are asked to wear blue and white – the school’s colors – to show their support. UVI Alumni and fans who cannot attend the game are encouraged to watch the live stream on www.paradisejam.com.
Paradise Jam 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. For more information visit www.paradisejam.com.