URI to Play South Florida in Hall of Fame Tip Off Event

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced a revised field of teams and schedule for the 2020 Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Tournament, which will be held at Mohegan Sun Arena. In addition to the Tip-Off, Rhode Island has picked up non-conference games with Stephen F. Austin and Towson during their stay in “Bubbleville.” In total, the Rams are scheduled for four games in five days at Mohegan Sun.

For the Tip-Off, Rhode Island will compete in the Naismith bracket, along with South Florida, Temple and Virginia Tech. Initially designed as a true bracket, the Tip-Off will have preset matchups because USF and Temple are both members of the American Athletic Conference. Rhody will open against USF on Nov. 28, then play Temple on Nov. 29.

“The Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament has been held at Mohegan Sun Arena for many years with great success. COVID-19 and the uncharted college basketball restart has undoubtedly brought many challenges, but we’re proud to have a partner and venue that provides us the opportunity to host this annual event under a new set of safety protocols,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “We look forward to hosting this year’s field of teams in a bubble-like atmosphere at beautiful Mohegan Sun.”

Before playing in the Tip-Off, Rhode Island will open its season against defending Southland champion Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 25, followed by a contest against the CAA’s Towson on Nov. 26. Stephen F. Austin finished the 2019-20 season 25-3 overall and 19-1 while winning the Southland Conference regular-season title. The Lumberjacks finished the year 77th in NET and were on a 15-game winning streak when the COVID-19 pandemic halted last season. Towson was 17-13 overall and 12-6 in CAA play. The Tigers ended the year ranked 154th in NET.

“A great deal of creativity and hard work has been put into these opportunities,” Rhode Island Head Coach David Cox said. “The officials from the Basketball Hall of Fame and each of the schools involved deserve credit for working together in such a productive manner despite the unprecedented challenges we are all facing.”

The games against SFA and Towson are neutral-site contests that are not affiliated with a multi-team event.

With the two additions to the schedule, Rhode Island currently has seven non-conference games. The schedule is not necessarily complete. Efforts are still in progress for one more home game, if a date can be worked out.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Gazelle Group are collaborating to produce multiple college basketball games at Mohegan Sun from November 25 through December 5, 2020 and have named the space “Bubbleville.” “Bubbleville” will house several events relocated and reimagined due to COVID-19 and provides a controlled environment with teams and event staff adhering to tribal, government, and NCAA health and safety protocols and testing requirements.

For more information, please visit www.halloffametipoff.com.

About Mohegan Sun Arena:
Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena Of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Mohegan Sun Arena was also ranked among the top 10 arena venues in the nation for 2014, regardless of size. In 2015, Mohegan Sun took home the IEBA award for “Casino of the Year.” Mohegan Sun also won “Casino of the Year” in 2 categories at the 2013 & 2016 Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at ?1-888.226-7711, ext. 27163.

About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 11 member institutions: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University and Siena College. For more on the conference, please visit www.maacsports.com.

About the Gazelle Group:
The Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper is produced by the Gazelle Group of Princeton, N.J. The Gazelle Group is a sports marketing firm, specializing in event production and management, client representation, and sponsorship consulting. Gazelle produces numerous nationally-recognized events, such as the 2K Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project, the Gotham Classic, the Sunshine Slam, and the College Basketball Invitational. For more information on the Gazelle Group, please visit gazellegroup.com.

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo “Court of Dreams.” Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall #HOFTipOff or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.