The Paradise Jam is an annual multiple-team college basketball event that is held in the U.S. Virgin Islands the week before Thanksgiving. Now in its 25th year, the tournament invites eight teams to play in the Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas. Half of the eight teams are new, with Longwood, McNeese, George Washington and Louisiana all looking to put the mid-major world on notice. UAB, Illinois State, Liberty and Kansas State round out the field.
The Longwood Lancers are off to their best-ever Division I start at 5-0. Their last two wins were nail-biters. After trailing for most of the game against UT Martin and Binghamton, they found ways to win.
KJ McClurg, a D-II All-American at California (PA) last season, is averaging over 16 points per game. The Lancers brought in nine new players following last season’s March Madness run, yet strong performances and high expectations continue to define the team.
In the Paradise Jam, each team will play three games, regardless of how they do in their first contest. A victory in the first game places a team on the winner’s side of the bracket, while a loss sends them to the loser’s side. On Nov. 22, all of the opening round games will take place, with the Nov. 23 reserved for the consolation semifinals. On Nov. 24, the championship semifinals will begin, with the final games for first, third, fifth and seventh place taking place on Nov. 25.
Longwood’s opening matchup is against UAB, another 2024 March Madness participant. The Blazers won the AAC Tournament last season and have a 3-2 record to start this season.
Despite having a worse record than Longwood, it’s no surprise that the larger school is favored to win. However, UAB has already lost to Big South opposition this year, falling to High Point 68-65 on Nov. 15. Yaxel Lendeborg is UAB’s key player. Not only was he a pivotal part of their postseason push last season, but he’s already averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds per game this season.
The Lancers have never played in the Paradise Jam before, and although they have started 5-0, the game against UAB poses a very unique challenge.
“I’m excited for this group to spend some good time together, and it’s an opportunity for us to bond,” said Longwood head coach Griff Aldrich. “It’s a real honor and privilege to be in the [Paradise Jam].”
This will undoubtedly be one of the tougher opponents the Lancers have to play in their non-conference schedule, with SMU being the next big test at the end of December.
