Cats host James Madison Tues. night in College Basketball Invitational

Davidson College’s men’s basketball team lost in the first round of the Southern Conference tournament two weekends ago, and that looked like the end of the season. But it wasn’t.

Coach Bob McKillop announced Monday that the Wildcats are among 16 teams selected to play in the 2011 College Basketball Invitational. The action starts Tuesday night, March 15, when the Davidson hosts James Madison University at 7 p.m. at Belk Arena.

The CBI presented by Zebra Pen is a post-season tournament that began in 2008. It starts as a single-elimination tournament, with all games played at campus sites. The event features eight first-round games, four quarterfinals, a semifinal, and then the Championship Series. Previous winners have included Tulsa (2008), Oregon State (2009) and Virginia Commonwealth (2009).

The 16-team field consists of teams not selected for the NCAA Tournament. Others include Miami (Ohio), Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure, Creighton, Oregon, San Jose State and Austin Peay. (See the full bracket (PDF))

All tickets are general admission and priced at $14 for adults and $7 for youth 12-and-under. Students will be admitted free with their student ID card.

The game will be televised live on HDNet with Kenny Rice and Heath Schroyer calling the action.

Teams are invited based upon performance during their conference and
non-conference schedules, as well as how well the team is playing at the end of the regular season.

The 2011 CBI will begin Tuesday, March 15, and end with a best-of-three
Championship Series that begins Monday, March 28. The Quarterfinal Round will take place Monday, March 21, with Semifinal Round games being played Wednesday, March 23.

The Wildcats posted a 17-14 record in the regular season and a 10-8 mark in the Southern Conference.

DOWNLOAD a copy of the tournament bracket, (PDF) CLICK HERE>

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