2K Sports Classic
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/20081121_Manny_Harris_shoots_Free_Throws_at_2K_Sports_Classic.jpg/330px-20081121_Manny_Harris_shoots_Free_Throws_at_2K_Sports_Classic.jpg)
The Empire Classic, formerly known as the 2K Sports Classic, is an annual college basketball tournament played in November at the beginning of the season and televised by ESPN. Originally known as the Atlantic City Shootout and produced by the Gazelle Group, Inc., the tournament was first played in 1995. The following year, it became the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic as a collaboration between the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society in an effort to raise funds for cancer research. In 2012, the tournament beneficiary became Wounded Warrior Project, resulting in the tournament being renamed the 2K Sports Classic. A new annual college basketball tournament benefiting cancer research, also called the Coaches Vs. Cancer Classic and hosted by the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, was held from 2012 to 2014.[1] In 2019, the event was renamed the 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project, commonly referred to as the "Empire Classic."
In the Empire Classic's current format, which began in 2014, eight teams from eight separate conferences are invited to the tournament. Two games are held at four different regional sites selected before the tournament. The semifinals and finals are held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where they have been since 1998, with the remaining four teams playing in a tournament format at a predetermined on-campus site.
With the COVID-19 pandemic raging in the United States during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, the Empire Classic was one of the very few multiteam events held during the fall of 2020.[2] Baylor withdrew from the 2020 tournament after head coach Scott Drew tested positive for COVID-19;[2] Rhode Island replaced Baylor.[2]
Villanova is the reigning Empire Classic champion, having defeated Arizona State 83–74 in the championship game on November 26, 2020.
History[]
The first two events were doubleheaders held at the Atlantic City Convention Center (now Boardwalk Hall). The 1997 event was the first to be played in a tournament format and was won by Princeton at the Continental Airlines Arena in the New Jersey Meadowlands.
In 1998, the event moved to Madison Square Garden in New York City, where it has remained ever since. From 1997 through 2001, the event remained in the tournament format before going to a pair of showcase doubleheaders in 2002 and 2003. In 2004, the format changed into a 16-team event with teams from 16 separate conferences. Four predetermined regional round hosts played two games at home and the winners would play in the semifinals and finals at Madison Square Garden. Syracuse won the first tournament played in this format, beating Memphis, 77–62.
The 2007 event resulted in a format change once again. That year, Gardner-Webb won at Kentucky, 84–68, and advanced to the semifinals. After that, the semifinalists were predetermined, regardless of the results of the regional rounds. Beginning in 2009, the format was revised to a 12-team field and each team guaranteed four games in the tournament with the semifinalists advancing to Madison Square Garden and the remaining eight teams being split into two subregional tournaments played at predetermined campuses sites.
In the 2K Classic's current format, which began in 2014, eight teams from eight separate conferences are invited to the tournament. Two games are held at four different regional sites selected before the tournament. The semifinals and finals are held at Madison Square Garden and the remaining four teams play in a tournament format at a predetermined on-campus site.
Yearly champions, runners-up, and MVPs[]
1Tournament held behind closed doors at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most appearances[]
Appearances | Teams |
---|---|
5 | Syracuse, Texas |
4 | Marquette, Memphis, St. John's |
3 | Alcorn State, California, UConn, Duke, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Temple, UC-Irvine, Wake Forest |
Participants and brackets[]
* – Denotes overtime period
1995[]
- Showcase Format – No Tournament
Game 1 | ||||
Penn State | 88 | |||
Penn | 61 |
Game 2 | ||||
La Salle | 68 | |||
Marquette | 65 |
1996[]
- Showcase Format – No Tournament
Game 1 | ||||
Temple | 76 | |||
Georgia Tech | 58 |
Game 2 | ||||
Saint Joseph's | 67 | |||
21 | Tulsa | 64 |
1997[]
Semifinals | Championship | ||||||||
NC State | 47 | ||||||||
19 | Georgia | 45 | |||||||
Princeton | 38 | ||||||||
NC State | 36 | ||||||||
Princeton | 62 | ||||||||
22 | Texas | 56 | Consolation | ||||||
19 | Georgia | 89 | |||||||
22 | Texas | 87 |
1998[]
Semifinals | Championship | ||||||||
Wake Forest | 75* | ||||||||
Illinois | 73 | ||||||||
7 | Temple | 59 | |||||||
Wake Forest | 48 | ||||||||
7 | Temple | 65 | |||||||
Georgetown | 49 | Consolation | |||||||
Illinois | 65 | ||||||||
Georgetown | 50 |
1999[]
Semifinals | Championship | ||||||||
13 | Stanford | 80* | |||||||
10 | Duke | 79 | |||||||
13 | Stanford | 72 | |||||||
Iowa | 58 | ||||||||
Iowa | 70 | ||||||||
1 | Connecticut | 68 | Consolation | ||||||
1 | Connecticut | 71 | |||||||
10 | Duke | 66 |
2000[]
Semifinals | Championship | ||||||||
7 | Kansas | 99 | |||||||
17 | UCLA | 98 | |||||||
7 | Kansas | 82 | |||||||
St. John's | 74 | ||||||||
St. John's | 62 | ||||||||
12 | Kentucky | 61 | Consolation | ||||||
17 | UCLA | 97 | |||||||
12 | Kentucky | 92 |
2001[]
Semifinals | Championship | ||||||||
Arizona | 71 | ||||||||
2 | Maryland | 67 | |||||||
Arizona | 75 | ||||||||
6 | Florida | 71 | |||||||
6 | Florida | 72 | |||||||
16 | Temple | 64 | Consolation | ||||||
2 | Maryland | 82 | |||||||
16 | Temple | 74 |
2002[]
- Showcase Format – No Tournament
Game 1 | ||||
Memphis | 70 | |||
Syracuse | 63 |
Game 2 | ||||
8 | Alabama | 68 | ||
3 | Oklahoma | 62 |
Game 3 | ||||
18 | Marquette | 73 | ||
Villanova | 61 |
Game 4 | ||||
4 | Texas | 77 | ||
16 | Georgia | 71 |
2003[]
- Showcase Format – No Tournament
Game 1 | ||||
21 | Wake Forest | 85 | ||
Memphis | 76 |
Game 2 | ||||
23 | Marquette | 52 | ||
St. John's | 45 |
Game 3 | ||||
22 | Pittsburgh | 71 | ||
Alabama | 62 |
Game 4 | ||||
18 | Saint Joseph's | 73 | ||
12 | Gonzaga | 66 |
2004[]
|
|
|
Semifinals | Championship | ||||||||
6 | Syracuse | 71 | |||||||
14 | Mississippi State | 58 | |||||||
6 | Syracuse | 77 | |||||||
23 | Memphis | 62 | |||||||
23 | Memphis | 81 | |||||||
Saint Mary's | 66 | Consolation | |||||||
14 | Mississippi State | 67 | |||||||
Saint Mary's | 54 |
2005[]
|
|
Semifinals | Championship | ||||||||
16 | Syracuse | 81 | |||||||
Texas Tech | 46 | ||||||||
Florida | 75 | ||||||||
16 | Syracuse | 70 | |||||||
Florida | 77 | ||||||||
18 | Wake Forest | 72 | Consolation | ||||||
18 | Wake Forest | 78** | |||||||
Texas Tech | 73 |
2006[]
|
Semifinals | Championship | ||||||||
Michigan State | 63 | ||||||||
18 | Texas | 61 | |||||||
Maryland | 62 | ||||||||
Michigan State | 60 | ||||||||
Maryland | 92 | ||||||||
St. John's | 60 | Consolation | |||||||
18 | Texas | 77 | |||||||
St. John's | 66 |
2007[]
|
|
Semifinals | Championship | ||||||||
3 | Memphis | 63 | |||||||
Oklahoma | 53 | ||||||||
3 | Memphis | 81 | |||||||
Connecticut | 70 | ||||||||
Connecticut | 78 | ||||||||
Gardner-Webb | 66 | Consolation | |||||||
Oklahoma | 69 | ||||||||
Gardner-Webb | 55 |
2008[]
|
|
|
Semifinals | Championship | ||||||||
Michigan | 55 | ||||||||
4 | UCLA | 52 | |||||||
5 | Duke | 71 | |||||||
Michigan | 56 | ||||||||
5 | Duke | 83 | |||||||
Southern Illinois | 58 | Consolation | |||||||
4 | UCLA | 77 | |||||||
Southern Illinois | 60 |
2009[]
|
|
Semifinals | Championship | ||||||||
24 | Syracuse | 95 | |||||||
12 | California | 73 | |||||||
24 | Syracuse | 87 | |||||||
4 | North Carolina | 71 | |||||||
4 | North Carolina | 77 | |||||||
15 | Ohio State | 73 | Consolation | ||||||
12 | California | 60 | |||||||
15 | Ohio State | 76 |
2010[]
|
Semifinals | Championship | ||||||||
4 | Pittsburgh | 79 | |||||||
Maryland | 70 | ||||||||
4 | Pittsburgh | 68 | |||||||
22 | Texas | 66 | |||||||
16 | Illinois | 84 | |||||||
Texas | 90* | Consolation | |||||||
16 | Illinois | 80 | |||||||
Maryland | 76 |
2011[]
|
|
Semifinals | Championship | ||||||||
18 | Texas A&M | 60 | |||||||
Mississippi State | 69 | ||||||||
Mississippi State | 67 | ||||||||
16 | Arizona | 57 | |||||||
St. John's | 72 | ||||||||
16 | Arizona | 81 | Consolation | ||||||
18 | Texas A&M | 58 | |||||||
St. John's | 57 |
2012[]
|
|
Semifinals November 15 ESPN2 | Championship November 16 ESPN2 | ||||||||
Alabama | 65 | ||||||||
Oregon State | 62 | ||||||||
Alabama | 77 | ||||||||
Villanova | 55 | ||||||||
Villanova | 89* | ||||||||
Purdue | 81 | Consolation November 16 ESPNU | |||||||
Oregon State | 66 | ||||||||
Purdue | 58 |
2013[]
|
Semifinals November 21 ESPN2 | Championship November 22 ESPN2 | ||||||||
Indiana | 102 | ||||||||
Washington | 84 | ||||||||
Indiana | 58 | ||||||||
18 | Connecticut | 59 | |||||||
18 | Connecticut | 72 | |||||||
Boston College | 70 | Consolation November 22 ESPNU | |||||||
Washington | 78 | ||||||||
Boston College | 89 |
2014[]
Semifinals November 20 ESPN2 | Championship November 21 ESPN2 | ||||||||
10 | Texas | 71 | |||||||
Iowa | 57 | ||||||||
10 | Texas | 71 | |||||||
California | 55 | ||||||||
23 | Syracuse | 59 | |||||||
California | 73 | Consolation November 21 | |||||||
23 | Syracuse | 66 | |||||||
Iowa | 63 |
2015[]
Semifinals November 20 ESPN2 | Championship November 22 ESPN | ||||||||
5 | Duke | 79 | |||||||
VCU | 71 | ||||||||
5 | Duke | 86 | |||||||
Georgetown | 84 | ||||||||
Wisconsin | 61 | ||||||||
Georgetown | 71 | Consolation November 22 ESPN2 | |||||||
VCU | 73 | ||||||||
Wisconsin | 74 |
2016[]
Semifinals November 17 | Championship November 18 | ||||||||
Pittsburgh | 67 | ||||||||
SMU | 76 | ||||||||
SMU | 54 | ||||||||
Michigan | 76 | ||||||||
Michigan | 79 | ||||||||
Marquette | 61 | Consolation | |||||||
Pittsburgh | 78 | ||||||||
Marquette | 75 |
2017[]
Semifinals November 16 ESPN2 |
Championship November 17 ESPN2 | |||||||
Providence | 77 | |||||||
Washington | 70 | |||||||
Providence | 90 | |||||||
Saint Louis | 63 | |||||||
Virginia Tech | 71 | |||||||
Saint Louis | 77 | Consolation November 17 | ||||||
Washington | 79 | |||||||
Virginia Tech | 103 |
Nashville Subregional Semifinals November 18 |
Championship November 19 | |||||||
Seattle | 102 | |||||||
Detroit Mercy | 71 | |||||||
Seattle | 77 | |||||||
Belmont | 90 | |||||||
Houston Baptist | 88 | |||||||
Belmont | 93 | Consolation November 19 | ||||||
Detroit Mercy | 116 | |||||||
Houston Baptist | 109 |
2018[]
Semifinals November 15 ESPN2 |
Championship November 16 ESPN2 | |||||||
Connecticut | 83 | |||||||
15 | Syracuse | 76 | ||||||
Connecticut | 72 | |||||||
Iowa | 91 | |||||||
Iowa | 77 | |||||||
13 | Oregon | 69 | Consolation November 16 | |||||
15 | Syracuse | 65 | ||||||
13 | Oregon | 80 |
Cheney Subregional Semifinals November 16 |
Championship November 17 | |||||||
Morehead State | 99 | |||||||
UMKC | 89 | |||||||
Morehead State | 70 | |||||||
Green Bay | 87 | |||||||
Green Bay | 82* | |||||||
Eastern Washington | 78 | Consolation November 17 | ||||||
UMKC | 80 | |||||||
Eastern Washington | 87OT |
2019[]
Semifinals November 21 ESPN2 |
Championship November 22 ESPN2 | |||||||
Georgetown | 82 | |||||||
22 | Texas | 66 | ||||||
Georgetown | 73 | |||||||
1 | Duke | 81 | ||||||
1 | Duke | 87 | ||||||
California | 52 | Consolation November 22 | ||||||
22 | Texas | 62 | ||||||
California | 45 |
Riverside Subregional Semifinals November 22 |
Championship November 23 | |||||||
Georgia State | 83 | |||||||
Prairie View A&M | 74 | |||||||
Georgia State | 69 | |||||||
California Baptist | 60 | |||||||
Central Arkansas | 98 | |||||||
California Baptist | 104** | Consolation November 23 | ||||||
Prairie View A&M | 78 | |||||||
Central Arkansas | 72 |
2020[]
The 2020 tournament was held November 25–26 behind closed doors at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut as a result of COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions.
Semifinals November 25 ESPN |
Championship November 26 ESPN | |||||||
3 | Villanova | 76 | ||||||
Boston College | 67 | |||||||
3 | Villanova | 83 | ||||||
18 | Arizona State | 74 | ||||||
Rhode Island | 88 | |||||||
18 | Arizona State | 94 | Consolation November 26 | |||||
Boston College | 69 | |||||||
Rhode Island | 64 |
2021[]
The top two teams in the country, Gonzaga and UCLA,[14] headlined the 27th annual Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project presented by Continental Tire, held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV on November 22 and 23, the format reverted to showcase format. Joining them were Central Michigan and Bellarmine.[15]
- Showcase Format – No Tournament
November 22, 2021 | ||||
2 | UCLA | 75 | ||
Bellarmine | 62 |
November 22, 2021 | ||||
1 | Gonzaga | 107 | ||
Central Michigan | 54 |
November 23, 2021 | ||||
2 | UCLA | 63 | ||
1 | Gonzaga | 83 |
November 23, 2021 | ||||
Bellarmine | 76 | |||
Central Michigan | 69 |
2022[]
Syracuse, St. John's, and Temple will headline the 2022 Empire Classic, multiple sources told College Hoops Today. The fourth team location, and format of the event is TBD.[16]
References[]
- ^ "Plenty of changes next year for Coaches vs Cancer". si.com. si.com. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ^ a b c Freeman, Tristan, "NCAA Basketball: Biggest takeaways from 2020 2K Empire Classic," bustingbrackets.com, November 27, 2020 Accessed March 11, 2021
- ^ "2008 Bracket" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "2009 Bracket" (PDF).[permanent dead link]
- ^ "2010 Bracket" (PDF).[permanent dead link]
- ^ "2011 Bracket" (PDF).[permanent dead link]
- ^ "2012 Bracket" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2012-11-16.
- ^ "2013 Bracket" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-13. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
- ^ "2014 Bracket" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-08. Retrieved 2014-12-05.
- ^ "Michigan, Pitt, Marquette, and SMU Headline 2016 2K Classic". 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project. Gazelle Groups. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- ^ "2018-19 College Basketball Early Season Tournaments, Events, And Neutral-Site Games". Blogging the Bracket. Archived from the original on 2017-12-02. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
- ^ "2018 Bracket" (PDF). Gazelle Groups. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-11-22. Retrieved 2018-11-06.
- ^ "2019 Schedule". Gazelle Groups. Archived from the original on 2019-09-14. Retrieved 2019-10-17.
- ^ "UCLA to Face Bellarmine, Gonzaga in Empire Classic". UCLABruins.com. UCLA Athletics.
- ^ "Gonzaga and UCLA to meet in the 2021 Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project presented by Continental Tire". Empire Classic. Gazelle Group. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ Rothstein, Jon (January 4, 2022). "Syracuse, St. John's, Temple to headline 2022 Empire Classic". CollegeHoopsToday.com. CollegeHoopsToday.com. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
External links[]
- College men's basketball competitions in the United States
- College basketball competitions
- Recurring sporting events established in 1995