Eastern Washington University is set to host four games at Reese Court in Cheney, Wash., on Nov. 26 and 27 as part of the EWU Men's Basketball Classic.
In collaboration with Sacramento State, which hosted last year's tourney, this will be the second year these two teams have served as hosts. Eastern will host Denver and San Francisco, and Sac State will visit Cheney and play the same two opponents.
"This classic tournament came together through a great partnership with Sacramento State and coach (Brian) Katz," explained Eastern head coach
Jim Hayford. "This provides two teams in the Big Sky Conference the opportunity to compete against quality teams from other teams from mid-major conferences. We are honored that prestigious schools such as the University of Denver and San Francisco have agreed to participate. My hope is that Eastern fans will come out both days and enjoy some great, high-quality NCAA Division I basketball."
Eastern will play Denver on Nov. 26 at 6:05 p.m. Pacific time after defeating the Pioneers 74-58 last year in Denver. Denver finished 16-15 overall and 7-9 in the Summit League last year. In the other game on Nov. 26, Sacramento State will take on San Francisco at 3:35 p.m.
The next day on Nov. 27, the Eagles will play San Francisco to wrap-up the event at 6:05 p.m. Eastern beat the Dons last season 81-77 in San Francisco. San Francisco finished 15-15 overall last year while going 8-10 in the West Coast Conference.
Denver and Sacramento State will play each other on Nov. 27 at 12:05 p.m. Eastern's women's team will also be in action that day, taking on Multnomah University at 3:05 p.m.
The Eagles finished the 2015-16 season with an 18-16 record and advanced to the second round of the College Basketball Invitational. Eastern finished fourth in the Big Sky Conference with a 10-8 league mark, then beat Northern Arizona 74-52 in the first round of the league tournament. Eastern was the Big Sky's 2014-15 regular season and tournament champion, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
The Hornets finished 14-17 overall and 6-12 in the league last season under head coach Brian Katz. Hayford and Katz have been close friends and colleagues since the early 1990's when both were coaching college basketball in California. They shared the Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year honor in the 2014-15 season.
EWU Men's Basketball Classic ticket information and season ticket availability for the 2016-17 season will be announced at a later date.
Eastern Washington University Men's Basketball Classic Schedule
Reese Court in Cheney, Wash. (Times Pacific)
Saturday - Nov. 26
San Francisco versus Sacramento State, 3:35 p.m.
Eastern Washington versus Denver, 6:05 p.m.
Sunday - Nov. 27
Denver versus Sacramento State, 12:05 p.m.
Eastern Washington versus San Francisco, 6:05 p.m.
(Note: EWU women host Multnomah at 3:05 p.m.)
