May 7, 2009
SAN DIEGO -
2009 Paradise Jam Island Division Bracket in PDF Format
San Diego State will join seven other elite women's college basketball teams next season at the 2009 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam at the University of the Virgin Islands, Nov. 26-28. The Aztecs play three games in three days against a field that includes six schools that participated in last year's NCAA tournament in Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Rutgers and Texas, along with South Carolina and USC.
The eight squads will be divided into two divisions with SDSU joining Notre Dame, Oklahoma and South Carolina in the "Island" Division. The Aztecs start competition against the Fighting Irish on Thanksgiving Day at 4:30 p.m. AST, followed by a meeting with 2009 Final Four participant Oklahoma on Friday, Nov. 27, at 4:30 p.m. SDSU will round out competition Saturday with a 2 p.m. outing versus South Carolina.
"Without question, this is the most competitive challenge we have had in our program to date," said SDSU head coach Beth Burns. "To have a neutral court opportunity against three great teams - the history and successful tradition of Notre Dame, last year's Final Four participant Oklahoma and emerging power South Carolina - will only help San Diego State Basketball in our quest to reach and sustain a place among the nation's elite. The added bonus of the beautiful setting enables our players to have a world-class experience on and off the court."
The Aztecs are 1-0 all-time against both Notre Dame and Oklahoma, while it will be the first-ever meeting between SDSU and South Carolina.
This is the first time San Diego State will compete in the Paradise Jam, which will enter its 10th season in 2009. The three-day tournament will take place at the Sports and Fitness Center on the campus of the University of the Virgin Islands in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.
"When you add a potential match-up against Auburn in our Surf N' Slam field (at home) in December, it shows we are committed to scheduling and playing the highest level of competition to prepare us for Mountain West Conference and NCAA play," Burns said. "Our team has plenty of incentive to focus forward as they begin their off-season conditioning and skill work."
More information on the Paradise Jam is available at www.paradisejam.com.
2009 Paradise Jam Basketball Tournament
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
November 26-28, 2009
SDSU Schedule Only - "Island" Division
Thursday, Nov. 26 vs. Notre Dame 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27 vs. Oklahoma 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 vs. South Carolina 2 p.m.
All times are Atlantic Standard Time (Eastern Daylight Time plus one hour).