The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB-UMass Will Meet In 27th Annual Tip-Off Classic
8/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Aug. 25, 2005
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - UAB will face Massachusetts in the 27th Annual Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic on Friday, Nov. 25 at the newly renovated MassMutual Center. Mike Anderson's Blazers, coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, will face the Minutemen, who are led by first-year head coach Travis Ford. Ford, a former Kentucky standout, led Eastern Kentucky to the NCAA Tournament last season.
"It is an honor for us to compete in such a prestigious event," UAB head coach Mike Anderson said. "We're excited to play UMass, which is a very strong basketball program, and excited to go back to where it all started in Springfield. We have a lot of respect for coach Ford and UMass and are looking forward to the challenge they present us so early in the season."
The event will mark the first appearance in the Tip-Off Classic for UAB, which has upset Washington, Kentucky and LSU in the last two NCAA postseasons. UMass will make its second appearance. The Minutemen ironically defeated Arkansas in the event in 1994, the year the Razorbacks went on to win the NCAA National Championship. Anderson was then a Razorback assistant coach.
"I've been a part of the event before and am thankful our players will have an opportunity to experience it," Anderson said. "Not only will we get to take them to the Basketball Hall of Fame, but they will get to see what a great event the city and organization run. It's all first class there, which makes it special for the players. I'm sure the new facility will make it even more special for all of us."
UMass returns its top three scorers from last season. The Minutemen feature junior All-Atlantic 10 forward Rashaun Freeman. UAB returns three starters from last season's second round NCAA squad. Point guard Squeaky Johnson, sharp-shooter Marvett McDonald and forward Demario Eddins headline a list of 10 returning letterwinners which includes seven seniors.
Tickets for the 2005 Tip-Off Classic can be purchased at the MassMutual Center box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets. They can also be purchased online at www.tickemaster.com. Proceeds from the event provide financial support to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Since 1979, the Tip-Off Classic Committee has donated over $3 million to the museum.
The remainder of the 2005-06 UAB men's basketball schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.
