After three days of action, the remaining two basketball teams in the men’s bracket face off tonight at the John Gray High School gymnasium in the championship game of the Cayman Islands Classic.
The 7:30pm game will feature the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks playing the Utah State Aggies.
The fifth annual Cayman Classic began on Sunday, 19 Nov. with fans of the various schools donning team colours to show their support.
The event has featured several top-tier NCAA teams, with potential NBA players showing off their talent as they fought to earn bragging rights ahead of returning to the US for the collegiate basketball season, which is set to tip off later this month.
“We have good teams and we continue to get better teams each and every year,” Joe Wright, CEO of tournament organiser Caymax Sports Ltd, told the Compass during earlier action at the event.
“In the past, the first day was kind of thin. We didn’t have many people, but this year we had a great crowd, a good atmosphere and things are starting to get a little better.”
And, in a nod to the level of play, he added, “Anybody could take home the trophy this year.”
Day one of the tournament saw Drake defeat Oakland in a close match that ended 85-77. In another competitive game, Stephen F. Austin bested Loyola Marymount University 86-76.
Utah State convincingly beat Marshall 83-60. Meanwhile, Akron beat Florida International in a barnburner to close out day one, winning 77-71.
In semifinal action on Monday, Stephen F. Austin punched their ticket for a chance at winning the prestigious pre-season trophy by handily beating Drake 92-68.
Utah State and Akron faced off later that day, with the Aggies squeaking by 65-61, to advance to the championship game against Stephen F. Austin.
Ahead of the finals, Drake and Akron will play for third and fourth place in a 5pm game.
That is not the end of the basketball action, however, as the inaugural women’s tournament will be held 24-25 Nov. featuring Virginia Tech; University of Connecticut; University of California, Los Angeles; Niagara; Tulane; Virginia; Louisiana State University; and Kansas.
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