Ball State University Athletics
Cardinals Set to Fly South to The Bahamas for Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship
June 30, 2022 | Men's Basketball
NASSAU, The Bahamas – In only its second year, Baha Mar Hoops will play host to the largest event in the sport of college basketball when 20 men's and women's teams play this Thanksgiving at Baha Mar, the leading resort destination in The Bahamas. The 10-day slate of games includes Oklahoma State, DePaul, Central Florida, and Santa Clara playing in the men's Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship and five NCAA Tournament women's teams participating in the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship. In total, 24 games will be played across three events Nov. 18-27 at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts & Entertainment Center.
The Cardinals will be making their first trip to The Bahamas. Ball State will be joined by Long Beach State, Missouri State, North Texas, Oakland, San Jose State, UNCW, and Vermont. Ball State opens the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship in the tournament's first game against Vermont on Friday, November 25.
"We are thrilled for the opportunity to compete in the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship," said Head Coach Michael Lewis. "We are excited for the early test we will get from the challenging field. This will be a great experience for our guys as the majority of them have not traveled outside of the continental U.S."
The action concludes on Thanksgiving weekend with the eight-team Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship. The men's tournament, which is designed strictly for mid-major NCAA Division I programs, is in its fifth iteration after launching in 2017. The field is headlined by 2021 Big West regular-season champion Long Beach State and a Vermont program which is looking for a second championship in the Bahamas after taking home this tournament's inaugural title in 2017 (then known as The Islands of the Bahamas Showcase). The Catamounts were 28-6 last year winning a conference title (regular-season or tournament crown) for the fifth-straight season before earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The first-round pairings for the Nassau Championship are as follows:
First-round games will be played on Friday, November 25 with four games each day on Nov. 25-27. All 12 games of the Nassau Championship will be broadcast on FloHoops.
"We are thrilled to once again host Baha Mar Hoops and the tournament's dedicated fans at Baha Mar for the second annual college basketball event," said Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar. "Last year's event brought undeniable energy and excitement to the resort, and we look forward to introducing new experiences and amenities to the players and guests returning in 2022."
The collection of teams hail from 16 states throughout the U.S., from Vermont to California. And for tourism, several teams hail from key markets such as Chicago, Dallas, and Orlando.
"The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has identified sports as yet another segment in our suite of marketing products and recognizes bdG Sports for its continuing support of our tourism industry," said Latia Duncombe, Director General (Actg.) of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation. "Mr. Graeme Davis and his team at Baha Mar ought to be congratulated for their sporting accomplishments to date, in addition to their unwavering commitment as joint promoters of destination Bahamas. With excited anticipation, we look forward to welcoming teams with family and friends, enthusiasts, promoters, media, and all spectators to The Islands of The Bahamas."
A mere 55-minute flight from Florida, Baha Mar opened in 2017 and is home to three iconic brands: Grand Hyatt, SLS and Rosewood. Situated on 1,000 acres overlooking Nassau's famous turquoise ocean waters, the resort destination features more than 2,300 rooms and an abundance of dynamic programming, activities, and amenities including the largest casino in the Caribbean, a state-of-the-art convention center, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, the Caribbean's first and only flagship ESPA spa, a collection of more than 45 restaurants and lounges, and more. The $200 million luxury water park, Baha Bay, debuted in July 2021 as the latest addition to Baha Mar's portfolio of spectacular guest offerings. Set on 15 beachfront acres, Baha Bay has introduced an exciting array of aquatic activities and experiences, alfresco dining, a gaming pavilion, beach club, and more.
Tickets along with hotel and travel information can be found on the Baha Mar Hoops Tournament Central.
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*For Ball State Basketball tickets at Worthen Arena call 1-888-BSU-TICKET or 765-285-1474, or click here.
The Cardinals will be making their first trip to The Bahamas. Ball State will be joined by Long Beach State, Missouri State, North Texas, Oakland, San Jose State, UNCW, and Vermont. Ball State opens the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship in the tournament's first game against Vermont on Friday, November 25.
"We are thrilled for the opportunity to compete in the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship," said Head Coach Michael Lewis. "We are excited for the early test we will get from the challenging field. This will be a great experience for our guys as the majority of them have not traveled outside of the continental U.S."
The action concludes on Thanksgiving weekend with the eight-team Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship. The men's tournament, which is designed strictly for mid-major NCAA Division I programs, is in its fifth iteration after launching in 2017. The field is headlined by 2021 Big West regular-season champion Long Beach State and a Vermont program which is looking for a second championship in the Bahamas after taking home this tournament's inaugural title in 2017 (then known as The Islands of the Bahamas Showcase). The Catamounts were 28-6 last year winning a conference title (regular-season or tournament crown) for the fifth-straight season before earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The first-round pairings for the Nassau Championship are as follows:
- Vermont vs. Ball State – Noon
- Missouri State vs. UNCW – 2:30 p.m.
- North Texas vs. San Jose State – 5:30 p.m.
- Oakland vs. Long Beach State – 8:00 p.m.
First-round games will be played on Friday, November 25 with four games each day on Nov. 25-27. All 12 games of the Nassau Championship will be broadcast on FloHoops.
"We are thrilled to once again host Baha Mar Hoops and the tournament's dedicated fans at Baha Mar for the second annual college basketball event," said Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar. "Last year's event brought undeniable energy and excitement to the resort, and we look forward to introducing new experiences and amenities to the players and guests returning in 2022."
The collection of teams hail from 16 states throughout the U.S., from Vermont to California. And for tourism, several teams hail from key markets such as Chicago, Dallas, and Orlando.
"The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has identified sports as yet another segment in our suite of marketing products and recognizes bdG Sports for its continuing support of our tourism industry," said Latia Duncombe, Director General (Actg.) of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation. "Mr. Graeme Davis and his team at Baha Mar ought to be congratulated for their sporting accomplishments to date, in addition to their unwavering commitment as joint promoters of destination Bahamas. With excited anticipation, we look forward to welcoming teams with family and friends, enthusiasts, promoters, media, and all spectators to The Islands of The Bahamas."
A mere 55-minute flight from Florida, Baha Mar opened in 2017 and is home to three iconic brands: Grand Hyatt, SLS and Rosewood. Situated on 1,000 acres overlooking Nassau's famous turquoise ocean waters, the resort destination features more than 2,300 rooms and an abundance of dynamic programming, activities, and amenities including the largest casino in the Caribbean, a state-of-the-art convention center, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, the Caribbean's first and only flagship ESPA spa, a collection of more than 45 restaurants and lounges, and more. The $200 million luxury water park, Baha Bay, debuted in July 2021 as the latest addition to Baha Mar's portfolio of spectacular guest offerings. Set on 15 beachfront acres, Baha Bay has introduced an exciting array of aquatic activities and experiences, alfresco dining, a gaming pavilion, beach club, and more.
Tickets along with hotel and travel information can be found on the Baha Mar Hoops Tournament Central.
Follow the Cardinals
*For Ball State Basketball tickets at Worthen Arena call 1-888-BSU-TICKET or 765-285-1474, or click here.
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