The Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic, an annual action-packed NCAA basketball tournament, will return to the Orleans Arena Dec. 22 and 23, bringing teams from University of Southern California, University of Wyoming, Depaul, Missouri State, Southeast Missouri State, Troy University, Chicago State and Cornell.
The Southern California Trojans, led by head coach Andy Enfield, enter the Classic after reaching the NCAA Tournament last season. The Trojans will be led by junior guard Jordan McLaughlin, who was named to the Bob Cousy Award list for the 2016-17 season. McLaughlin led the team with 13.4 points per game last season.
First-year head coach Allen Edwards leads the Wyoming Cowboys into the Classic with senior guard Jason McManamen, one of the Mountain West Conference’s best three-point shooters from last season. McManamen led the team by shooting 44 percent from behind the arc and was a catalyst for Wyoming’s 10.1 three-pointers per game, a mark that ranked ninth in the nation.
Missouri State head coach Paul Lusk leads the Bears into the Classic by returning four starters from last season, including guard Dequon Miller. The senior Miller earned the Missouri Valley Conference’s Newcomer of the Year for the 2015-16 season after leading the team with 12.7 points per game.
Each team will play four games – the first two at campus sites and the final two at the Orleans Arena.
The first game of the tournament begins at noon both days. Two-day ticket packages are available from $50 plus taxes and fees, and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000; online at www.orleansarena.com; or in-person at the gift shops inside The Orleans, Suncoast, Gold Coast and Sam’s Town. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the game (depending on availability) at the venue box office.
About Orleans Arena
The Orleans Arena, a Boyd Gaming facility located just west of the Las Vegas Strip, is one of the nation’s leading multi-purpose sports and entertainment facilities and the 2014 recipient of the Venue Excellence Award from the International Association of Venue Managers. In addition, the Orleans Arena is one of only a handful of arenas in the United States to achieve LEED Gold Certification and is part of the largest company in Nevada to achieve SHARP Certification for commitments to safe venue operations. According to Venues Today magazine, the Orleans Arena, which hosts more than 200 events each year, consistently ranks in the Top 10 for ticket sales in the United States and internationally among venues of similar size. These events include nationally touring concerts, NCAA basketball conference tournaments, family shows, motorsports and other unique events. For more information, call 702-365-7469 or visit www.OrleansArena.com. Stay connected to the Orleans Arena on Facebook (www.facebook.com/orleansarena) and on Twitter (@orleansarena). Additional news and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at www.boydgaming.com