August 4, 2009
ESPN has announced the matchups for the 2009 O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off, to be held Nov. 19, 20 and 22 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in the cosmopolitan Hato Rey district of San Juan. Nine of the 12 games will be televised live nationally on ESPNU and ESPN2.
The field for the third annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off will include Boston University, Dayton, George Mason, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas State, Ole Miss and 2009 Final Four participant Villanova.
In the first round of action Thursday, Nov. 19, Dayton will take on Georgia Tech; George Mason will face Villanova; Indiana will meet Ole Miss; and Boston University will square off with Kansas State.
For the third straight year, the BIG EAST Conference will serve as the event's sponsoring conference.
Four of the eight participating teams reached the 2008-09 postseason. Villanova and Dayton played in the NCAA Tournament, with the Wildcats reaching the Final Four and the Flyers advancing to the second round. George Mason and Kansas State played in the National Invitation Tournament.
The 2009 O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off will feature 12 games through three days. Each team will compete in one game per day, advancing through a bracket-tournament format. The two teams that remain undefeated throughout will face off in the championship game Sunday, Nov. 22, live on ESPN2.
Last season, Xavier took home the 2008 Puerto Rico Tip-Off trophy, defeating Memphis 63-58 in the championship game. Both teams went on to be nationally ranked in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Top 25 poll throughout most of the 2008-09 season, with Memphis finishing the regular season ranked No. 2. Xavier will appear in the 2009 Old Spice Classic.
In 2007, the Miami Hurricanes won the inaugural O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
Fans can purchase Official Puerto Rico Tip-Off Spectator Packages, which include game tickets and official team hotel accommodations, by visiting www.AnthonyTravel.com (search Puerto Rico) or by calling 1-888-632-6951. Additional event information can be found at the event's official Web site: www.PuertoRicoTipOff.com.
