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General Notes:
This is the second annual SEC/BIG EAST Invitational. BIG EAST teams won three of the four games played last season, with games being played in Birmingham (Georgetown def. Alabama, West Virginia def. Auburn) and Philadelphia (South Carolina def. Providence, Villanova def. LSU). Seven of the eight teams participating in this year’s event reached the post-season a year ago, including five NCAA Tournament squads.
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CINCINNATI
Nickname: Bearcats
Conference: BIG EAST
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
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In Mick Cronin’s second year behind the bench, the Bearcats quadrupled their BIG EAST win total from 2006-07 and were selected to play in the inaugural College Basketball Invitational (CBI). UC returns eight letter-winners from last season’s team, including first-team all-BIG EAST guard Deonta Vaughn (17.3 ppg). Former McDonald’s All-American Mike Williams, who missed the last two years after transferring from Texas (and then suffering an Achilles heel injury), will join the squad.
Cincinnati vs. Mississippi State
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LOUISVILLE
Nickname: Cardinals
Conference: BIG EAST
Location: Louisville, Ky.
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Louisville posted a 27-9 record last season--just the ninth time in school history the Cards have won as many games--earned a runner-up finish in a rugged BIG EAST Conference race that went down to the final game of the season for the league title, and reached the NCAA Elite Eight for the third time in 11 years. That successful campaign may be a prelude to another stellar season. Armed with four returning starters and a recruiting class ranked among the nation’s top five, coach Rick Pitino has painted a bright future for his eighth Cardinal team. Forwards Earl Clark and Terrence Williams are the top returning scorers with 11.1 ppg apiece.
Louisville vs. Ole Miss
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MARQUETTE
Nickname: Golden Eagles
Conference: BIG EAST
Location: Milwaukee, Wis.
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The 2008-09 campaign marks the beginning of a new era for the Marquette University men’s basketball program as new coach Buzz Williams takes the reigns of a team that has made three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. The Golden Eagles return all five starters and 10 letter-winners from last season’s 25-10 squad, while welcoming three newcomers to the program. MU enters its fourth season in the BIG EAST Conference and will look to improve on last year’s fifth-place regular season finish and first-ever appearance in the league tournament semifinals.
Tennessee 80, Marquette 68
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MISSISSIPPI STATE
Nickname: Bulldogs
Conference: Southeastern
Location: Starkville, Miss.
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Mississippi State reached the post-season for the eighth time in coach Rick Stansbury’s 10-year tenure with the program, falling to Memphis in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs were 12-4 in SEC play to claim their fourth SEC West division title in the last six seasons.
Cincinnati vs. Mississippi State
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OLE MISS
Nickname: Rebels
Conference: Southeastern
Location: Oxford, Miss.
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In just his second season as head coach, Andy Kennedy directed the 2007-08 Ole Miss Rebels to a 24-11 record (second-most wins in school history), a six-week stay in the national rankings and their first-ever trip to the NIT Final Four in Madison Square Garden. Ole Miss has not earned an NCAA Tournament berth since 2002, but the momentum from two straight 20-win seasons and successful NIT trips could just carry the Rebels right into the Big Dance. Sophomore point guard Chris Warren averaged 15.2 points per game last year and set a school record for three-pointers made (103).
Louisville vs. Ole Miss
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SOUTH FLORIDA
Nickname: Bulls
Conference: BIG EAST
Location: Tampa, Fla.
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Stan Heath took over as head coach of the Bulls last season, which was the school’s third campaign as a member of the BIG EAST. Dominique Jones led the team in scoring (17.1 ppg) and set a school freshman record with 531 total points. Senior guard Jesus Verdejo averaged 10.7 points per game and started 29 of 32 contests. Junior guard Chris Howard recorded a team-high 150 assists.
Vanderbilt 71, South Florida 52
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TENNESSEE
Nickname: Volunteers
Conference: Southeastern
Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
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As the University of Tennessee prepares to celebrate its 100th season of varsity basketball in 2008-09, excitement for coach Bruce Pearl’s program is at an all-time high. The Vols are coming off the most successful season in school history, winning a record 31 games, earning their ninth SEC championship, achieving the program's first No. 1 national ranking and advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season. But to achieve a similar level of success during the 2008-09 campaign, UT will have to replace more than half of every offensive category from last season.
Tennessee 80, Marquette 68
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VANDERBILT
Nickname: Commodores
Conference: Southeastern
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
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The Commodores have reached the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1988 and 1989, falling in the opening round to Siena last season. Vandy tied the school records for regular season wins with 25 and finished the season 26-8. The Commodores won their first 16 games, and knocked off No. 1 ranked Tennessee, the second year in a row Vanderbilt has defeated the top-ranked team in the nation. Coach Kevin Stallings enters his 10th season with the team, needing only seven wins for 300 in his coaching career.
Vanderbilt 71, South Florida 52
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Photos Courtesy AP
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