August 16, 2007

USC, UCI set for Thanksgiving
Trojans, Anteater to play in nationally televised basketball tournament at Anaheim Convention Center.
By JANIS CARR
The Orange County Register

ANAHEIM -- The inaugural Anaheim Classic, a three-day, eight-team basketball tournament that begins Thanksgiving Day, possibly would not have happened this year if USC had not agreed to participate.

Pete Derzis, senior vice president and general manager of ESPN Regional Television, said today that organizers began hammering out the details when Trojans coach Tim Floyd said USC was available.

Derzis said ESPN wanted to capitalize on the Trojans' appearance last season in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 and the arrival of highly touted freshman O.J. Mayo.

"We were going to do the tournament," Derzis said, "it just depended on whether we would start it in 2007 or '08. It was candidly contingent on USC playing and, as soon as Coach Floyd said yes, we fast-tracked to get the deal done.

"Getting O.J. Mayo was a bonus."

Also playing in the tournament at Anaheim Convention Center will be UC Irvine, San Diego, Tennessee-Chattanooga, South Alabama, Mississippi State, Southern Illinois and Miami of Ohio.

USC, Southern Illinois and Miami played in last year's NCAA Tournament, while South Alabama and Mississippi State participated in the National Invitation Tournament.

Irvine is the first Big West team to play in the event, while Cal State Fullerton is scheduled to participate next year and Long Beach State in 2009.

Like the Big West, the Pac-10 is expected to be represented in the event ever year. Arizona State has committed to play next year and organizers have talked with Arizona and Oregon, plus have had "healthy discussions" with UCLA officials about 2009.

According to Derzis, the Bruins are not available to play an exempt event such as the Anaheim Classic until 2009. In an exempt event, the games count on a team's record but not in the total number of games.

For instance, each team in the Anaheim Classic will play three games, but will count as only one on its schedule.

Irvine coach Pat Douglass called the Big West's participation in the tournament the biggest thing to happen to the conference in the past 5-10 years, considering all 12 games will be televised on either ESPN2 or ESPNU

"To get exposure is difficult for mid-major programs," Douglass said. "And we've all been willing to sell our soul to go and play the better teams."

He added this allows the three area Big West teams to play top teams on a neutral court in their backyard.

"This is a big plus for our conference," he said.

ANAHEIM CLASSIC SCHEDULE

Thursday, Nov. 22

11 a.m.: UC Irvine vs. Mississippi State

1 p.m.: Southern Illinois vs. Tennessee-Chattanooga

6:30 p.m.: Miami of Ohio vs. Southern Alabama

9 p.m.: USC vs. San Diego

Friday, Nov. 23

12 p.m.: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner

2:30 p.m.: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser

7 p.m.: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser

9:30 p.m.: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner

Saturday, Nov. 24

Off-day

Sunday, Nov. 25

12:30 p.m.: Game 6 loser vs. Game 7 loser

2:30 p.m.: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner

6 p.m.: Game 5 loser vs. Game 8 loser

8 p.m.: Game 5 winner vs. Game 8 winner