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Empire Classic
Annual early season collegiate basketball tournament
Annual early season collegiate basketball tournament
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| formerly | Atlantic City Shootout (1995) |
| Coaches vs. Cancer Classic (1996–2011) | |
| 2K Sports Classic (2012–2019) | |
| title | Empire Classic |
| sport | College basketball |
| founded | 1995 |
| sponsor | Saatva |
| teams | 2 |
| country | United States |
| venue | Madison Square Garden |
| most_champs | Duke Blue Devils |
| TV | ESPN |
| website | empireclassic.net |
Coaches vs. Cancer Classic (1996–2011) 2K Sports Classic (2012–2019)
The Empire Classic is an annual college basketball event 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 event 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.) In 2019, the 2K Sports Classic was renamed the 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project, commonly referred to as the "Empire Classic".
History
The first two events were doubleheader showcases held at the Atlantic City Convention Center (now Boardwalk Hall). From 1997 through 2001, the event was played as a tournament. Princeton won the first tournament in 1997, which took place at Continental Airlines Arena in the New Jersey Meadowlands.
In 1998, the event moved to Madison Square Garden in New York City, where it remained through 2019. In both 2002 and 2003, it was played as a showcase doubleheader. In 2004, it became a tournament again, with a new format as a 16-team event with teams from 16 separate conferences. Four predetermined regional round hosts played two games at home and the winners play in the semifinals and finals at Madison Square Garden. Syracuse won the first tournament played in this format, beating Memphis, 77–62, in 2004.
In 2007, Gardner–Webb unexpectedly won at Kentucky, 84–68, and advanced to the semifinals at Madison Square Garden, preventing one of the tournament's marquee teams from playing there. To ensure that the marquee teams would play in the semifinals in the 2008 tournament, 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 was 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 campus sites.
In 2014, the tournament format changed again, with eight teams from eight separate conferences invited to the tournament. Two games were held at four different regional sites selected before the tournament. The semifinals and finals were held at Madison Square Garden and the remaining four teams played in a tournament format at a predetermined on-campus site. This format persisted through 2019.
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. With no fans permitted to attend, it took place behind closed doors at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Only four teams participated. Baylor withdrew from it after head coach Scott Drew tested positive for COVID-19; Rhode Island replaced Baylor.
In 2021, the tournament format was dropped, and the Empire Classic took place as a showcase event at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. Four teams participated, and the event consisted of two doubleheaders played over the course of two days,
The 2024 Empire Classic returned to a showcase format, with Maryland defeating Villanova 76–75 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The 2025 Empire Classic continues with the format, with UCLA facing California at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, along with campus site games featuring Sacramento State and Presbyterian.
Yearly champions, runners-up, and MVPs
| Year | Winner | Score | Opponent | Tournament MVP | Other participants | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Showcase format – no tournament | Chase Center, San Francisco, CA | ||||
| 2024 | Showcase format – no tournament | Prudential Center, Newark, NJ | ||||
| 2023 | UConn | 81–71 | Texas | Tristen Newton, UConn | Indiana, Louisville | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2022 | St. John's | 76–69 | Syracuse | André Curbelo, St. John's | Richmond, Temple | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY |
| 2021 | Showcase format – no tournament | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV | ||||
| 20201 | Villanova | 83–74 | Arizona State | Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova | Boston College, Rhode Island | Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT |
| 2019 | Duke | 81–73 | Georgetown | Vernon Carey Jr., Duke | Texas, California | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2018 | Iowa | 91–72 | Connecticut | Luka Garza, Iowa | Syracuse, Oregon | |
| 2017 | Providence | 90–63 | Saint Louis | Kyron Cartwright, Providence | Virginia Tech, Washington | |
| 2016 | Michigan | 76–54 | SMU | Zak Irvin, Michigan | Pittsburgh, Marquette | |
| 2015 | Duke | 86–84 | Georgetown | Grayson Allen, Duke | Wisconsin, VCU | |
| 2014 | Texas | 71–55 | California | Jonathan Holmes, Texas | Syracuse, Iowa | |
| 2013 | Connecticut | 59–58 | Indiana | Shabazz Napier, Connecticut | Boston College, Washington | |
| 2012 | Alabama | 77–55 | Villanova | Trevor Releford, Alabama | Oregon State, Purdue | |
| 2011 | Mississippi State | 67–57 | Arizona | Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State | St. John's, Texas A&M | |
| 2010 | Pittsburgh | 68–66 | Texas | Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh | Illinois, Maryland | |
| 2009 | Syracuse | 87–71 | North Carolina | Wesley Johnson, Syracuse | California, Ohio State | |
| 2008 | Duke | 71–56 | Michigan | Kyle Singler, Duke | UCLA, Southern Illinois | |
| 2007 | Memphis | 81–70 | Connecticut | Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis | Gardner–Webb, Oklahoma | |
| 2006 | Maryland | 62–60 | Michigan State | D. J. Strawberry, Maryland | St. John's, Texas | |
| 2005 | Florida | 75–70 | Syracuse | Taurean Green, Florida | Texas Tech, Wake Forest | |
| 2004 | Syracuse | 77–62 | Memphis | Hakim Warrick, Syracuse | Mississippi State, St. Mary's | |
| 2003 | Showcase format – no tournament | |||||
| 2002 | Showcase format – no tournament | |||||
| 2001 | Arizona | 75–71 | Florida | Jason Gardner, Arizona | Maryland, Temple | |
| 2000 | Kansas | 82–74 | St. John's | Kenny Gregory, Kansas | Kentucky, UCLA | |
| 1999 | Stanford | 72–58 | Iowa | Jarron Collins, Stanford | Connecticut, Duke | |
| 1998 | Temple | 59–48 | Wake Forest | Lamont Barnes, Temple | Georgetown, Illinois | |
| 1997 | Princeton | 38–36 | North Carolina State | Brian Earl, Princeton | Georgia, Texas | Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ |
| 1996 | Showcase format – no tournament | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ | ||||
| 1995 | Showcase format – no tournament |
1Tournament held behind closed doors at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most Championships
| Championships | Teams |
|---|---|
| 3 | Duke (2008, 2015, 2019) |
| 2 | Syracuse (2004, 2009), UConn (2013, 2023) |
Updated through 2023 event.
Most appearances
| Appearances | Teams |
|---|---|
| 7 | Texas (1997, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2019, 2023), Syracuse (2002, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2014, 2018, 2022) |
| 5 | UConn (1999, 2007, 2013, 2018, 2023), St. John's (2000, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2022) |
| 4 | Marquette (1995, 2002, 2003, 2016), Temple (1996, 1998, 2001, 2022), Duke (1999, 2008, 2015, 2019), Memphis (2002, 2003, 2004, 2007), California (2004, 2009, 2014, 2019) |
| 3 | Georgetown (1998, 2015, 2019), Wake Forest (1998, 2003, 2005), Iowa (1999, 2014, 2018), UCLA (2000, 2008, 2021), Maryland (2001, 2006, 2010), Alabama (2002, 2003, 2012), Villanova (2002, 2012, 2020), Pittsburgh (2003, 2010, 2016), UC-Irvine (2005, 2010, 2013), Alcorn State (2006, 2009, 2014), Prairie View (2008, 2015, 2019) |
Updated through 2023 event.
Participants and brackets
- – Denotes overtime period
1995
:Showcase Format – No Tournament
| {{2TeamBracket | RD1=Game 1 | RD1-seed1= | Penn State]]''' | RD1-score1=88 | RD1-seed2= | Penn]] | RD1-score2=61 | {{2TeamBracket | RD1=Game 2 | RD1-seed1= | La Salle]]''' | RD1-score1=68 | RD1-seed2= | Marquette]] | RD1-score2=65 |
|---|
1996
:Showcase Format – No Tournament
| {{2TeamBracket | RD1=Game 1 | RD1-seed1= | Temple]]''' | RD1-score1=76 | RD1-seed2= | Georgia Tech]] | RD1-score2=58 | {{2TeamBracket | RD1=Game 2 | RD1-seed1= | Saint Joseph's]]''' | RD1-score1=67 | RD1-seed2=21 | Tulsa]] | RD1-score2=64 |
|---|
1997
| RD1-seed1= | RD1-team1=NC State | RD1-score1=47 | RD1-seed2=19 | RD1-team2=Georgia | RD1-score2=45 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=Princeton | RD1-score3=62 | RD1-seed4=22 | RD1-team4=Texas | RD1-score4=56 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=Princeton | RD2-score1=38 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=NC State | RD2-score2=36 | RD2-seed3=19 | RD2-team3=Georgia | RD2-score3=89 | RD2-seed4=22 | RD2-team4=Texas | RD2-score4=87
1998
| RD1-seed1= | RD1-team1=Wake Forest | RD1-score1=75* | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=Illinois | RD1-score2=73 | RD1-seed3=7 | RD1-team3=Temple | RD1-score3=65 | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=Georgetown | RD1-score4=49 | RD2-seed1=7 | RD2-team1=Temple | RD2-score1=59 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Wake Forest | RD2-score2=48 | RD2-seed3= | RD2-team3=Illinois | RD2-score3=65 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Georgetown | RD2-score4=50
1999
| RD1-seed1=13 | RD1-team1=Stanford | RD1-score1=80* | RD1-seed2=10 | RD1-team2=Duke | RD1-score2=79 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=Iowa | RD1-score3=70 | RD1-seed4=1 | RD1-team4=Connecticut | RD1-score4=68 | RD2-seed1=13 | RD2-team1=Stanford | RD2-score1=72 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Iowa | RD2-score2=58 | RD2-seed3=1 | RD2-team3=Connecticut | RD2-score3=71 | RD2-seed4=10 | RD2-team4=Duke | RD2-score4=66
2000
| RD1-seed1=7 | RD1-team1=Kansas | RD1-score1=99 | RD1-seed2=17 | RD1-team2=UCLA | RD1-score2=98 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=St. John's | RD1-score3=62 | RD1-seed4=12 | RD1-team4=Kentucky | RD1-score4=61 | RD2-seed1=7 | RD2-team1=Kansas | RD2-score1=82 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=St. John's | RD2-score2=74 | RD2-seed3=17 | RD2-team3=UCLA | RD2-score3=97 | RD2-seed4=12 | RD2-team4=Kentucky | RD2-score4=92
2001
| RD1-seed1= | RD1-team1=Arizona | RD1-score1=71 | RD1-seed2=2 | RD1-team2=Maryland | RD1-score2=67 | RD1-seed3=6 | RD1-team3=Florida | RD1-score3=72 | RD1-seed4=16 | RD1-team4=Temple | RD1-score4=64 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=Arizona | RD2-score1=75 | RD2-seed2=6 | RD2-team2=Florida | RD2-score2=71 | RD2-seed3=2 | RD2-team3=Maryland | RD2-score3=82 | RD2-seed4=16 | RD2-team4=Temple | RD2-score4=74
2002
:Showcase Format – No Tournament
| {{2TeamBracket | RD1=Game 1 | RD1-seed1= | Memphis]]''' | RD1-score1=70 | RD1-seed2= | Syracuse]] | RD1-score2=63 | RD1-seed3=7 | {{2TeamBracket | RD1=Game 2 | RD1-seed1=8 | Alabama]]''' | RD1-score1=68 | RD1-seed2=3 | Oklahoma]] | RD1-score2=62 | {{2TeamBracket | RD1=Game 3 | RD1-seed1=18 | Marquette]]''' | RD1-score1=73 | RD1-seed2= | Villanova]] | RD1-score2=61 | {{2TeamBracket | RD1=Game 4 | RD1-seed1=4 | Texas]]''' | RD1-score1=77 | RD1-seed2=16 | Georgia]] | RD1-score2=71 |
|---|
2003
:Showcase Format – No Tournament
| {{2TeamBracket | RD1=Game 1 | RD1-seed1=21 | Wake Forest]]''' | RD1-score1=85 | RD1-seed2= | Memphis]] | RD1-score2=76 | {{2TeamBracket | RD1=Game 2 | RD1-seed1=23 | Marquette]]''' | RD1-score1=52 | RD1-seed2= | St. John's]] | RD1-score2=45 | {{2TeamBracket | RD1=Game 3 | RD1-seed1=22 | Pittsburgh]]''' | RD1-score1=71 | RD1-seed2= | Alabama]] | RD1-score2=62 | {{2TeamBracket | RD1=Game 4 | RD1-seed1=18 | Saint Joseph's]]''' | RD1-score1=73 | RD1-seed2=12 | Gonzaga]] | RD1-score2=66 |
|---|
2004
- Syracuse
- Memphis
- Mississippi State
- California
- Alabama A&M
- Belmont
- Birmingham–Southern
- Bucknell
- Fairfield
- George Mason
- IPFW
- Northern Colorado
- Princeton
- Savannah State
- Saint Mary's
- UC-Riverside
| RD1-seed1=6 | RD1-team1=Syracuse | RD1-score1=71 | RD1-seed2=14 | RD1-team2=Mississippi State | RD1-score2=58 | RD1-seed3=23 | RD1-team3=Memphis | RD1-score3=81 | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=Saint Mary's | RD1-score4=66 | RD2-seed1=6 | RD2-team1=Syracuse | RD2-score1=77 | RD2-seed2=23 | RD2-team2=Memphis | RD2-score2=62 | RD2-seed3=14 | RD2-team3=Mississippi State | RD2-score3=67 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Saint Mary's | RD2-score4=54
2005
- Florida
- Syracuse
- Wake Forest
- Texas Tech
- Albany
- Bethune–Cookman
- Cornell
- George Mason
- Georgia Southern
- Mississippi Valley State
- Oakland
- Portland
- St. Francis (Pennsylvania)
- St. Peter's
- San Jose State
- UC Irvine
| RD1-seed1=16 | RD1-team1=Syracuse | RD1-score1=81 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=Texas Tech | RD1-score2=46 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=Florida | RD1-score3=77 | RD1-seed4=18 | RD1-team4=Wake Forest | RD1-score4=72 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=Florida | RD2-score1=75 | RD2-seed2=16 | RD2-team2=Syracuse | RD2-score2=70 | RD2-seed3=18 | RD2-team3=Wake Forest | RD2-score3=78** | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Texas Tech | RD2-score4=73
2006
- Maryland
- Michigan State
- Texas
- St. John's
- Alcorn State
- Brown
- Central Michigan
- Chicago State
- Hampton
- Loyola Maryland
- Navy
- New Orleans
- North Florida
- St. Bonaventure
- Vermont
- Youngstown State
| RD1-seed1= | RD1-team1=Michigan State | RD1-score1=63 | RD1-seed2=18 | RD1-team2=Texas | RD1-score2=61 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=Maryland | RD1-score3=92 | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=St. John's | RD1-score4=60 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=Maryland | RD2-score1=62 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Michigan State | RD2-score2=60 | RD2-seed3=18 | RD2-team3=Texas | RD2-score3=77 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=St. John's | RD2-score4=66
2007
- Memphis
- Connecticut
- Kentucky
- Oklahoma
- Alabama A&M
- Buffalo
- Central Arkansas
- Denver
- East Central (Oklahoma)
- Gardner–Webb
- Maine
- Morgan State
- Ohio Valley
- Richmond
- San Francisco
- Tennessee–Martin
| RD1-seed1=3 | RD1-team1=Memphis | RD1-score1=63 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=Oklahoma | RD1-score2=53 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=Connecticut | RD1-score3=78 | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=Gardner–Webb | RD1-score4=66 | RD2-seed1=3 | RD2-team1=Memphis | RD2-score1=81 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Connecticut | RD2-score2=70 | RD2-seed3= | RD2-team3=Oklahoma | RD2-score3=69 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Gardner–Webb | RD2-score4=55
2008
- Duke
- Michigan
- Southern Illinois
- UCLA
- Arkansas–Monticello
- California University of Pennsylvania
- Georgia Southern
- Houston
- IUPUI
- Massachusetts
- Miami (OH)
- Michigan Tech
- Northeastern
- Prairie View A&M
- Presbyterian
- Weber State
| RD1-seed1= | RD1-team1=Michigan | RD1-score1=55 | RD1-seed2=4 | RD1-team2=UCLA | RD1-score2=52 | RD1-seed3=5 | RD1-team3=Duke | RD1-score3=83 | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=Southern Illinois | RD1-score4=58 | RD2-seed1=5 | RD2-team1=Duke | RD2-score1=71 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Michigan | RD2-score2=56 | RD2-seed3=4 | RD2-team3=UCLA | RD2-score3=77 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Southern Illinois | RD2-score4=60
2009
- Syracuse
- North Carolina
- Ohio State
- California
- Albany
- Alcorn State
- Detroit
- Florida International
- Robert Morris
- James Madison
- Murray State
- North Carolina Central
| RD1-seed1=24 | RD1-team1=Syracuse | RD1-score1=95 | RD1-seed2=12 | RD1-team2=California | RD1-score2=73 | RD1-seed3=4 | RD1-team3=North Carolina | RD1-score3=77 | RD1-seed4=15 | RD1-team4=Ohio State | RD1-score4=73 | RD2-seed1=24 | RD2-team1=Syracuse | RD2-score1=87 | RD2-seed2=4 | RD2-team2=North Carolina | RD2-score2=71 | RD2-seed3=12 | RD2-team3=California | RD2-score3=60 | RD2-seed4=15 | RD2-team4=Ohio State | RD2-score4=76
2010
- Pittsburgh
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Texas
- Charleston
- UIC
- Louisiana Tech
- Navy
- Rhode Island
- Seattle
- Toledo
- UC Irvine
| RD1-seed1=4 | RD1-team1=Pittsburgh | RD1-score1=79 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=Maryland | RD1-score2=70 | RD1-seed3=16 | RD1-team3=Illinois | RD1-score3=84 | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=Texas | RD1-score4=90* | RD2-seed1=4 | RD2-team1=Pittsburgh | RD2-score1=68 | RD2-seed2=22 | RD2-team2=Texas | RD2-score2=66 | RD2-seed3=16 | RD2-team3=Illinois | RD2-score3=80 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Maryland | RD2-score4=76
2011
- Mississippi State
- Arizona
- St. John's
- Texas A&M
- Akron
- Duquesne
- Eastern Kentucky
- Hiram
- IU Kokomo
- Lehigh
- Liberty
- UDC
- Valparaiso
- William & Mary
| RD1-seed1=18 | RD1-team1=Texas A&M | RD1-score1=60 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=Mississippi State | RD1-score2=69 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=St. John's | RD1-score3=72 | RD1-seed4=16 | RD1-team4=Arizona | RD1-score4=81 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=Mississippi State | RD2-score1=67 | RD2-seed2=16 | RD2-team2=Arizona | RD2-score2=57 | RD2-seed3=18 | RD2-team3=Texas A&M | RD2-score3=58 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=St. John's | RD2-score4=57
2012
- Alabama
- Villanova
- Purdue
- Oregon State
- Bucknell
- Hofstra
- Marshall
- New Mexico State
- Niagara
- Northern New Mexico
- South Dakota State
- UDC
- West Alabama
November 15 ESPN2 November 16 ESPN2 | RD1-seed1= | RD1-team1=Alabama | RD1-score1=65 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=Oregon State | RD1-score2=62 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=Villanova | RD1-score3=89* | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=Purdue | RD1-score4=81 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=Alabama | RD2-score1=77 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Villanova | RD2-score2=55 | RD2-seed3= | RD2-team3=Oregon State | RD2-score3=66 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Purdue | RD2-score4=58
2013
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Boston College
- Washington
- Boston University
- Detroit
- Eastern Washington
- Florida Atlantic
- LIU Brooklyn
- Stony Brook
- Toledo
- UC Irvine
November 21 ESPN2 November 22 ESPN2 | RD1-seed1= | RD1-team1=Indiana | RD1-score1=102 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=Washington | RD1-score2=84 | RD1-seed3=18 | RD1-team3=Connecticut | RD1-score3=72 | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=Boston College | RD1-score4=70 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=Indiana | RD2-score1=58 | RD2-seed2=18 | RD2-team2=Connecticut | RD2-score2=59 | RD2-seed3= | RD2-team3=Washington | RD2-score3=78 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Boston College | RD2-score4=89
2014
November 20 ESPN2 November 21 ESPN2 | RD1-seed1=10 | RD1-team1=Texas | RD1-score1=71 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=Iowa | RD1-score2=57 | RD1-seed3=23 | RD1-team3=Syracuse | RD1-score3=59 | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=California | RD1-score4=73 | RD2-seed1=10 | RD2-team1=Texas | RD2-score1=71 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=California | RD2-score2=55 | RD2-seed3=23 | RD2-team3=Syracuse | RD2-score3=66 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Iowa | RD2-score4=63
2015
November 20 ESPN2 November 22 ESPN | RD1-seed1=5 | RD1-team1=Duke | RD1-score1=79 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=VCU | RD1-score2=71 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=Wisconsin | RD1-score3=61 | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=Georgetown | RD1-score4=71 | RD2-seed1=5 | RD2-team1=Duke | RD2-score1=86 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Georgetown | RD2-score2=84 | RD2-seed3= | RD2-team3=VCU | RD2-score3=73 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Wisconsin | RD2-score4=74
2016
November 17 November 18 | RD1-seed1= | RD1-team1=Pittsburgh | RD1-score1=67 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=SMU | RD1-score2=76 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=Michigan | RD1-score3= 79 | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=Marquette | RD1-score4= 61 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=SMU | RD2-score1=54 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Michigan | RD2-score2=76 | RD2-seed3= | RD2-team3=Pittsburgh | RD2-score3=78 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Marquette | RD2-score4=75
2017
November 16 ESPN2 November 17 ESPN2 | RD1-seed1= | RD1-team1=Providence | RD1-score1=77 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=Washington | RD1-score2=70 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=Virginia Tech | RD1-score3=71 | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=**Saint Louis ** | RD1-score4=77 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=Providence | RD2-score1=90 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Saint Louis | RD2-score2=63 | RD2-seed3= | RD2-team3=Washington | RD2-score3=79 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Virginia Tech | RD2-score4=103
November 18 November 19 | RD1-seed1= | RD1-team1=Seattle | RD1-score1=102 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=Detroit Mercy | RD1-score2=71 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=Houston Baptist | RD1-score3=88 | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=Belmont | RD1-score4=93 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=Seattle | RD2-score1=77 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Belmont | RD2-score2=90 | RD2-seed3= | RD2-team3=Detroit Mercy | RD2-score3=116 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Houston Baptist | RD2-score4=109
2018
| {{4TeamBracket | RD1= Semifinals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ESPN2 | RD2= Championship | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ESPN2 | RD2b=Consolation | RD1-seed1= | Connecticut]]''' | RD1-score1=83 | RD1-seed2=15 | Syracuse]] | RD1-score2=76 | RD1-seed3= | Iowa]]''' | RD1-score3=77 | RD1-seed4=13 | Oregon]] | RD1-score4=69 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=Connecticut | RD2-score1=72 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Iowa | RD2-score2=91 | RD2-seed3=15 | RD2-team3=Syracuse | RD2-score3=65 | RD2-seed4=13 | RD2-team4=Oregon | RD2-score4=80 | {{4TeamBracket | RD1= Cheney Subregional Semifinals |
| November 16 | RD2= Championship | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 17 | RD2b=Consolation | RD1-seed1= | Morehead State]]''' | RD1-score1=99 | RD1-seed2= | UMKC]] | RD1-score2=89 | RD1-seed3= | Green Bay]]''' | RD1-score3=82* | RD1-seed4= | Eastern Washington]] | RD1-score4=78 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=Morehead State | RD2-score1=70 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Green Bay | RD2-score2=87 | RD2-seed3= | RD2-team3=UMKC | RD2-score3=80 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Eastern Washington | RD2-score4=87OT |
2019
| {{4TeamBracket | RD1= Semifinals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ESPN2 | RD2= Championship | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ESPN2 | RD2b=Consolation | RD1-seed1= | RD1-team1=Georgetown | RD1-score1=82 | RD1-seed2=22 | Texas]] | RD1-score2=66 | RD1-seed3=1 | Duke]]''' | RD1-score3=87 | RD1-seed4= | California]] | RD1-score4=52 | RD2-seed1= | Georgetown]] | RD2-score1=73 | RD2-seed2=1 | RD2-team2=Duke | RD2-score2=81 | RD2-seed3=22 | RD2-team3=Texas | RD2-score3=62 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=California | RD2-score4=45 | {{4TeamBracket | RD1= Riverside Subregional Semifinals |
| November 22 | RD2= Championship | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 23 | RD2b=Consolation | RD1-seed1= | Georgia State]]''' | RD1-score1=83 | RD1-seed2= | Prairie View A&M]] | RD1-score2=74 | RD1-seed3= | Central Arkansas]] | RD1-score3=98 | RD1-seed4= | California Baptist]]''' | RD1-score4=104** | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=Georgia State | RD2-score1=69 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=California Baptist | RD2-score2=60 | RD2-seed3= | RD2-team3=Prairie View A&M | RD2-score3=78 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Central Arkansas | RD2-score4=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.
November 25 ESPN November 26 ESPN | RD1-seed1=3 | RD1-team1=Villanova | RD1-score1=76 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=Boston College | RD1-score2=67 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=Rhode Island | RD1-score3=88 | RD1-seed4=18 | RD1-team4=Arizona State | RD1-score4=94 | RD2-seed1=3 | RD2-team1=Villanova | RD2-score1=83 | RD2-seed2=18 | RD2-team2=Arizona State | RD2-score2=74 | RD2-seed3= | RD2-team3=Boston College | RD2-score3=69 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Rhode Island | RD2-score4=64
2021
The top two teams in the country, Gonzaga and UCLA, headlined the 27th annual Empire Classic, held at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 22 and 23. Joining them were Central Michigan and Bellarmine. The format reverted to a showcase event.
:Showcase Format – No Tournament
| {{2TeamBracket | RD1=November 22, 2021 | RD1-seed1=2 | UCLA]]''' | RD1-score1=75 | RD1-seed2= | Bellarmine]] | RD1-score2=62 | {{2TeamBracket | RD1=November 22, 2021 | RD1-seed1=1 | Gonzaga]]''' | RD1-score1=107 | RD1-seed2= | Central Michigan]] | RD1-score2=54 | {{2TeamBracket | RD1=November 23, 2021 | RD1-seed1=2 | RD1-team1=UCLA | RD1-score1=63 | RD1-seed2=1 | RD1-team2=Gonzaga | RD1-score2=83 | {{2TeamBracket | RD1=November 23, 2021 | RD1-seed1= | RD1-team1=Bellarmine | RD1-score1=76 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=Central Michigan | RD1-score2=69 |
|---|
2022
The tournament took place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on November 21 and 22, 2022.
Game recaps:
November 21 ESPN2/ESPNU November 22 ESPN2 | RD1-team1=Syracuse | RD1-score1=74* | RD1-team2=Richmond | RD1-score2=71 | RD1-team3=St. John's | RD1-score3=78 | RD1-team4=Temple | RD1-score4=72 | RD2-team1=Syracuse | RD2-score1=69 | RD2-team2=St. John's | RD2-score2=76* | RD2-team3=Richmond | RD2-score3=61 | RD2-team4=Temple | RD2-score4=49
2023
The tournament took place on November 19 and 20, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York.
November 19 ESPN2/ESPNU November 20 ESPN2 | RD1-team1= No. 5 UConn | RD1-score1=77 | RD1-team2= Indiana | RD1-score2=57 | RD1-team3= No. 19 Texas | RD1-score3=81 | RD1-team4= Louisville | RD1-score4=80 | RD2-team1=No. 5 UConn | RD2-score1=81 | RD2-team2=No. 15 Texas | RD2-score2=71 | RD2-team3=Indiana | RD2-score3=74 | RD2-team4=Louisville | RD2-score4=66
2024
Villanova and Maryland will square off in the Showcase Game of the 2024 Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project on November 24, 2024 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
:Showcase Format – No Tournament
| {{2TeamBracket | compact=y | seeds=n | RD1=November 24, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prudential Center | ||||
| Newark, New Jersey | Villanova]] | RD1-score1=75 | Maryland]]''' | RD1-score2=76 |
2025
UCLA and California will square off in the Showcase Game of the 2025 Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project on November 25, 2025 at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California. The two sides also host Sacramento State and Presbyterian in campus-site games.
:Campus-site games :Home teams listed second. November 16 | RD1-team1=Presbyterian | RD1-score1=62 | RD1-team2=Sacramento State | RD1-score2=64 November 18 | RD1-team1=Presbyterian | RD1-score1=57 | RD1-team2=California | RD1-score2=67 November 18 | RD1-team1=Sacramento State | RD1-score1=48 | RD1-team2=No. 19 UCLA | RD1-score2=79 November 21 | RD1-team1=Sacramento State | RD1-score1=67 | RD1-team2=California | RD1-score2=91 November 21 | RD1-team1=Presbyterian | RD1-score1=46 | RD1-team2=No. 19 UCLA | RD1-score2=86
:Showcase Format – No Tournament
| {{2TeamBracket | compact=y | seeds=n | San Francisco, California]] | RD1-team1=No. 18 UCLA | RD1-score1=72 | RD1-team2=California | RD1-score2=80 |
|---|
References
References
- "Plenty of changes next year for Coaches vs Cancer". si.com.
- [https://bustingbrackets.com/2020/11/27/ncaa-basketball-biggest-takeaways-2020-2k-empire-classic/ Freeman, Tristan, "NCAA Basketball: Biggest takeaways from 2020 2K Empire Classic," bustingbrackets.com, November 27, 2020 Accessed March 11, 2021]
- "UCLA to Face Bellarmine, Gonzaga in Empire Classic". UCLA Athletics.
- (15 May 2021). "Gonzaga and UCLA to meet in the 2021 Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project presented by Continental Tire". Gazelle Group.
- "2024 Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project Announced". Gazelle Group.
- "Empire Classic Tickets On-Sale Friday, September 19". Gazelle Group.
- "2008 Bracket".
- "2009 Bracket". GazelleGroup.com.
- "2010 Bracket". GazelleGroup.com.
- "2011 Bracket". GazelleGroup.com.
- "2012 Bracket".
- "2013 Bracket".
- "2014 Bracket".
- (7 March 2016). "Michigan, Pitt, Marquette, and SMU Headline 2016 2K Classic". Gazelle Groups.
- "2018–19 College Basketball Early Season Tournaments, Events, And Neutral-Site Games". Blogging the Bracket.
- "2018 Bracket". Gazelle Groups.
- "2019 Schedule". Gazelle Groups.
- "UCLA to Face Bellarmine, Gonzaga in Empire Classic". UCLA Athletics.
- (15 May 2021). "Gonzaga and UCLA to meet in the 2021 Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project presented by Continental Tire". Gazelle Group.
- (April 22, 2022). "2022–23 Men's College Basketball Early Season Tournaments and Exempt Multi-Team Events (MTEs)".
- (November 22, 2022). "Syracuse Needs OT to Top Richmond, Reach Empire Final".
- (November 22, 2022). "Saint John's (NY) Defeats Temple 78–72".
- (November 23, 2022). "Curbelo, St. John's Wins Legends, Top Syracuse 76–69 in OT".
- (November 22, 2022). "Burton Leads Richmond over Temple 61–49 in Empire Classic".
- (April 4, 2023). "2023 Empire Classic Field Announced".
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