BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the field of teams for the inaugural Air Force Reserve Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational presented by Citi, a premier college basketball showcase held in conjunction with Barclays Center on Tuesday, December 17, 2019. The one-day tripleheader will feature Providence College vs. University of Florida, Temple University vs. University of Miami, and Iona College vs. Princeton University.
"We're thrilled to be a part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational at the Barclays Center," said Iona head coach
Tim Cluess. "The Hall of Fame puts on a number of events and the opportunity to play in Brooklyn against a great mid-major program from the metropolitan area gives us an incredible opportunity to showcase the Iona brand of basketball in our backyard."
Iona and Princeton faced off last season in Hall of Fame sponsored event, at the Boardwalk Classic in Atlantic City.
The game becomes the third announced non-conference tilt for the four-time defending MAAC champion Gaels for the upcoming 2019-20 season. The Maroon & Gold also takes on Kennesaw State and Stetson in the inaugural MAAC-ASun Challenge at the HP Fieldhouse on the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on November 22 and 23. The remainder of the non-conference and Iona's 20-game MAAC slate will be announced later this summer.
"The Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to introduce a new college showcase event in one of the greatest basketball cities in the world," said
John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "Barclays Center is a beautiful world-class arena and we know the programs participating, and their fans, will have a tremendous experience in New York City – a city many Hall of Famers call home."
"Basketball has rich heritage in Brooklyn, and it has been our goal since opening Barclays Center to be an aspirational destination for teams all over the country to play," said
Brett Yormark, CEO of BSE Global. "We are thrilled to host the first-ever Air Force Reserve Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational and to welcome the six participating programs to the borough.
The Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational is one event in the Hall of Fame's series of collegiate events, which continues to grow in an effort to celebrate the game outside the museum walls. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to continue its relationship with Learfield IMG College for sponsorship representation of its portfolio of collegiate events.
Tickets for the Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational will go on-sale to the general public on Friday, July 12, at 10 a.m. on Ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center starting Saturday, July 13, at noon. Citi is the official presale credit card of the Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational and as such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets on July 10 and 11, 2019. Game times and television broadcast information will be released at a later date.