Tire Pros Puerto Rico Tip-Off Changing Venue for 2016 Tournament
9/26/2016 4:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Event to be played at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Tire Pros Puerto Rico Tip-Off -- to be held Thursday, Nov. 17, Friday, Nov. 18 and Sunday, Nov. 20 -- will move its site for the 2016 event to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla. Previously held at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the tournament has been moved due to concerns over the Zika virus.
Mizzou Men's Basketball remains in the tournament field, originally announced with Arizona State, Clemson, Davidson, Northern Iowa, Oklahoma, Tulane and Xavier.
"We enjoy the beauty and accommodations that are afforded in Puerto Rico and wanted to make every effort in playing the event in San Juan, but the concern for student-athlete and spectator welfare became the primary driver in the decision," said Pete Derzis, senior vice president, ESPN Events. "We intend to return to Puerto Rico in the future."
The bracket consists of 12 games over three days with each team competing in one game per day, advancing through the bracket. The two teams that remain undefeated throughout will face off in a championship game on the final day of competition. The previously announced times and networks of each game will remain the same.
Past winners include Miami (2015 & 2007), West Virginia (2014), Charlotte (2013), Oklahoma State (2012), Alabama (2011), Minnesota (2010), Villanova (2009) and Xavier (2007).
The Tire Pros Puerto Rico Tip-Off is one of two premier men's college basketball tournaments that will be hosted at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex this season, as the 2016 AdvoCare Invitational takes place over Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 24-27
The Tire Pros Puerto Rico Tip-Off and AdvoCare Invitational are owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN.
Statement from Mizzou Men's Basketball head coach Kim Anderson
"The health and safety of our student-athletes, staff and fans is the most important factor behind this decision. While we are disappointed we won't be going to Puerto Rico, we are excited that ESPN has arranged for us to play at Walt Disney World - an outstanding venue. Orlando will undoubtedly be a great host for our traveling Mizzou fans, and we are looking forward to the challenge that this tournament presents."
Previously announced schedule
|
Date |
Time |
Game |
Network |
|
Thu, Nov 17 |
11 a.m. |
Clemson vs. Davidson |
ESPNU |
|
|
1 p.m. |
Xavier vs. Missouri |
ESPNU |
|
|
4:30 p.m. |
Northern Iowa vs. Arizona State |
ESPNU |
|
|
7 p.m. |
Tulane vs. Oklahoma |
ESPN2 or ESPNU |
|
Fri, Nov 18 |
11:30 a.m. |
Consolation #1 |
ESPNU |
|
|
1:30 p.m. |
Semifinal #1 |
ESPNU |
|
|
5 p.m. |
Consolation #2 |
ESPNU |
|
|
7 p.m. |
Semifinal #2 |
ESPNU |
|
Sun, Nov 20 |
Noon |
7th Place Game |
ESPN3 |
|
|
2:30 p.m. |
5th Place Game |
ESPNU |
|
|
5 p.m. |
3rd Place Game |
ESPNU |
|
|
7:30 p.m. |
Championship Game |
ESPN2 |
|
Sat, Nov 26 |
Noon |
Northern Iowa at Xavier^ |
Locally televised |
^ - Non-bracketed game
ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a large portfolio of collegiate sporting events worldwide. The roster includes three Labor Day weekend college football games; 13 college bowl games, 10 college basketball events and two college award shows, which accounts for approximately 250-plus hours of programming, reaches almost 64 million viewers and attracts over 700,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in Albuquerque, Birmingham, Boca Raton, Boise, Dallas-Fort Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Montgomery and St. Petersburg, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.
