ASU basketball to play tournament in Las Vegas, showcase in Los Angeles
Apr 24, 2017, 2:11 PM | Updated: 2:16 pm
Arizona State's Shannon Evans II goes to the basket against Oregon's Jordan Bell during the second half an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
(AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Sun Devil basketball will play in the Continental Tire Invitational in Las Vegas on Thanksgiving this year, ASU announced on Monday.
The tournament will be at Orleans Arena, a 9,500-seat venue that will also host Xavier, Kansas State, George Washington, UC Irvine, Hampton, Rider and NAU in the tournament.
As part of the Invitational, each team will play a total of four games — the first two on campuses and the final two in Las Vegas on November 23 and 24.
Head coach Bobby Hurley and ASU hoops went 15-18 (7-11 Pac-12) in the 2016-17 as senior Torian Graham led the team in points. This year, Tra Holder and Shannon Evans II figure to lead the returning cast of Sun Devils as they play in the early-season tournament.
Xavier is perhaps the most notable of the teams in this Invitational. The Musketeers went 24-14 overall last year as they made the NCAA Tournament and upset No. 3 Florida State in the Sweet 16 and No. 2 Arizona in the Elite 8. Kansas State also played in March Madness, falling to Cincinnati in the first round.
It was later reported that ASU will also play in the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Los Angeles at the Staples Center.
#ASU MBB will play St. John's at Staples Center Dec. 8 as part of Basketball Hall of Fame Classic doubleheader … also Okla vs. USC
— jeffmetcalfe (@jeffmetcalfe) April 24, 2017
The showcase will be a one-day doubleheader with St. John’s, and Oklahoma will face USC that same day. Last year, the event was on Dec. 3 and featured Arizona, Gonzaga, BYU and USC.
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