The University of the Virgin Islands plays host to the 2013 Paradise Jam basketball tournament beginning Friday in the Sports and Fitness Center on the St. Thomas Campus. The annual NCAA Division I Basketball tournament tips off at 2:30 p.m. in the men’s division as University of Northern Iowa goes up against Loyola Marymount.
This year teams in the men’s division also include Marist College, University of Maryland, Providence College, Vanderbilt, Morgan State and La Salle University. The championship men’s game is scheduled for 11 p.m. on Monday.
The women’s division begins on Thanksgiving Day, continuing through Nov. 30. There are two divisions of women’s play. In the tourney’s “Island Division” are the University of Kansas, Duke, Central Michigan and Xavier University. Teams playing n the “Reef Division” include University of Memphis, University of Texas, Texas A&M and Syracuse University.
“Paradise Jam and the talent it attracts, and the enthusiasm it generates, is one of the most special events of the year in the Virgin Islands,” said UVI President David Hall. “As a former basketball player, it is a thrill to see such outstanding teams competing at the same time and on the same court as our UVI basketball teams” he said
Craig Jonas, director of operations and marketing for Basketball Travelers Inc., which produces Paradise Jam, said some excellent teams are participating this year. “The road to Final Four begins at Paradise Jam,” he said.
Jonas thanked UVI and the wider Virgin Islands community for their years of support. “The local community supports Paradise Jam in a way that the other events just don’t get,” he said. “We feel that that’s just something special. It gives me goose bumps to think of how special this event is.”
The CBS Sports Network will broadcast six of the key men’s games. Tournament play will also be broadcast on YouTube Live Sports and TGVN.tv. Fans can also follow and link to the games at www.paradisejames.com.
The Paradise James website also has details on the men’s and women’s brackets and video from the 2013 press conference. The tournament’s broadcast will also include features on UVI’s National Student Exchange Program and the Marine Biology programs. 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
The UVI Bucs men’s basketball squad will make its first pre-season appearance during a special Paradise Jam game at 8 p.m. Saturday. The Buccaneers will take on traditional LAI rivals Metropolitan University.
Last year the, UVI men’s basketball squad boosted its Paradise Jam win record to 4-0, defeating 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 can watch the livestream on paradisejam.com.
The UVI roster includes Chris Lockhart, Trevonte Larose, Salim Ross, Melvin Adams Jr., Colin Pfingst, Trevor Jones, Rodrique David, Jerrell Bellott, Dornel Weaver and Jestin Jameson. Head coach Ryan Skinner leads the team, assisted by Burt Chesterfield and Brett Foster.
Paradise Jam tickets are available at the UVI Bookstore, Fat Turtle and at the door. Ticket prices are $5 for local youth ages 5 to 18, and all UVI students; $10 for V.I. seniors 65 or older and military personnel; $15 for adult residents with local ID; and $35 for non-V.I. residents. For more information, visit www.paradisejam.com.
