The third annual Las Vegas Ball Dawgs Classic returns to its original four-team format, following a previous expansion to six teams.
Last year’s event saw three teams go undefeated, but only one team will go undefeated this year.
The tournament will kick off on Monday and runs through Wednesday, featuring UTEP, UNC Greensboro, Long Beach State and San Jose State.
UTEP
El Paso will enter the Ball Dawgs Classic with the best record of the four teams, with a 3-1 mark.
The Miners’ biggest win this season was against UC Santa Barbara in a three-point win, 79-76.
The other wins for UTEP have come from non-Division I opponents, Sul Ross State and UT Permian Valley.
UNC Greensboro
The Spartans (not to be confused with the San Jose State Spartans) have an even record of 2-2 entering the Ball Dawgs Classic.
One of the wins came against Florida Gulf Classic, in a nine-point victory in the second game of the season.
Greensboro last played top-25 ranked Indiana and lost in an 11-point loss, 58-69.
Long Beach State
The 2024 Big West Tournament winners haven’t had a good start to the season. Three of the five losses for Long Beach have come by three or fewer points.
With a 1-5 record in the first season of the Chris Acker era, the Beach can turn around the season with the Ball Dawgs Classic.
Guard Devin Askew is leading Long Beach State this season, averaging 16.7 points per game.
San Jose State
Like Long Beach State, the SJSU basketball program enters the tournament with a 1-5 record.
The San Jose State Spartans have averaged 68.5 points per game this season. The team’s leading scorer is guard Josh Uduje, who is averaging 15.7 points per game this season.
The program, like LBSU, can use the Ball Dawgs Classic as a turning point for the season and carry the momentum into the conference schedule.
Schedule
San Jose State and UTEP will open the first matchup of the men’s field of the Ball Dawgs Classic at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT).
Long Beach State and UNC Greensboro will face off 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first matchup.
