Texas Tech University Athletics
Coaches vs. Cancer Comes to Lubbock
September 12, 2005 | Men's Basketball
Sept. 12, 2005
Lubbock, Texas- Texas Tech, Florida, Syracuse, and Wake Forest -- four teams projected to be among this year's top 25 -- will host the Regional Rounds of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, the nation's premier season-opening college basketball tournament.
"This Event is a good test for any program because there are teams in it every year who compete for the national championship," Texas Tech head coach Bob Knight said. "Plus it's a great chance to support the fight against cancer. There aren't any of us anywhere that haven't been touched in some way by cancer."
2K Sports, creator of the "College Hoops 2K" series of video games, has made a four-year commitment to become the Title Sponsor of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. 2K Sports develops and publishes the popular and highly acclaimed 2K series of sports video games, which are known for delivering the most innovative and realistic sports simulation gaming experience to fans every year.
The Coaches vs. Cancer program, created by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, exists to leverage the strength, community leadership and celebrity of our country's basketball coaches to raise awareness and reduce cancer risk through education programs while raising funds for Coaches vs. Cancer. Since 1996, the Gazelle Group, producers of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, has raised over $2.8 million for the benefit of Coaches vs. Cancer.
"We are excited to tip off the college basketball season and support the Coaches vs. Cancer program," said 2K Sports Marketing and Promotions Director Tim Rosa. "The 2K Sports family is extremely proud to support further efforts in the fight against this serious disease."
The Regional Rounds of the tournament, which feature teams from 16 conferences, will be played November 8th-11th. The winner of each Regional Round will compete for the Championship at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 17th and 18th.
Syracuse returns to the Classic to defend its 2004 title. Last year, the Orange defeated Memphis, 77-62, in the Championship Game.
Outlined below are the dates, locations, and match-ups for the 2005 Event. Television coverage will be announced in the near future.
Regional Round in Lubbock -- United Spirit Arena
November 10th, 4:30 p.m. CT
Portland vs. Georgia Southern
Texas Tech vs. San Jose State
November 11th, 5:30 p.m. CT
Regional Consolation
Regional Championship
Championship Rounds -- Madison Square Garden
Semifinal Doubleheader
November 17th, 7:00 p.m. EST
Winston-Salem Regional Winner vs. Gainesville Regional Winner
Syracuse Regional Winner vs. Lubbock Regional Winner
Championship Doubleheader -- Madison Square Garden
November 18th, 7:00 p.m. EST
Consolation Game
Championship Game
All four host teams, which averaged 25 wins last season, are projected to be in the top 25 this year. Five of the teams in this year's Event made the NCAA tournament last year, including the four hosts (who were all seeded No. 6 or higher) and Oakland. Each host will be led by all-conference performers from last season, including Jarrius Jackson (Texas Tech), Eric Williams (Wake Forest), Corey Brewer (Florida), and Gerry McNamara (Syracuse).
Ticket Information: Championship Round tickets at Madison Square Garden are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (212) 307-7171 or through www.Ticketmaster.com.
For VIP Ticket packages, contact Chris McLaughlin at (609)921-1300 or cmclaughlin@gazellegroup.com.
Tickets for the Regional Rounds can be purchased through the host school's box office. On-sale dates for individual game tickets will be announced in the near future. Texas Tech: 1-888-GO-BIG12 or www.texastech.com
Syracuse: 1-888-DOMETIX or www.dometix.com
Wake Forest: 1-888-758-DEAC or www.wakeforestsports.com
Florida: 1-800-34-GATOR or www.gatorzone.com
The 2K Sports College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer is produced by The Gazelle Group. For more information, please visit www.coachesvscancer.com or contact Christopher Makos at (609) 921-1300 or cmakos@gazellegroup.com.
For more information about 2K Sports visit www.2ksports.com.
