Jimmy V Men’s, Women’s Classics Matchups Determined

Annual Events are Finale to Jimmy V Week which Benefits The V Foundation for Cancer Research

The matchups have been determined for the 2013 Jimmy V Men’s and Women’s Basketball Classics – set for Tuesday, Dec. 17.

The two early-season events that showcase top college basketball programs on ESPN and ESPN2 will conclude the seventh annual Jimmy V Week, a weeklong initiative across multiple ESPN platforms and programs featuring special content to help raise funds for cancer research. In six years, Jimmy V Week has generated $6,761,437 in total contributions for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, including a record-setting number of $1,591,108 in 2013.

Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic

The men’s doubleheader, held at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden for the 11th consecutive year, will tip off at 7 p.m. ET with Cincinnati facing former conference foe Pittsburgh followed by Florida against Memphis at 9 p.m., both on ESPN.

Pittsburgh will be playing in its first season as part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Panthers return three starters from a team that finished 24-9 overall and advanced to their 11th NCAA Championship in the last 12 seasons. Cincinnati achieved its third consecutive 20-win season, made a NCAA Championship appearance and posted a 22-12 overall mark. The Bearcats will be competing in the American Athletic Conference.

The second game of the Jimmy V Men’s Classic includes two teams ranked in an early ESPN.com preseason top 25: No. 6 Florida and No. 19 Memphis.

Florida finished the 2012-13 season with an overall record of 29-8 and earned its sixth SEC Championship and fourth outright title. The Gators advanced to the regional finals of the NCAA Championship for the third consecutive season, the only team in the nation to do so. Memphis recorded a 31-5 overall record and a perfect 16-0 Conference USA mark. The Tigers swept the Conference USA regular-season and tournament titles and earned an NCAA Championship berth, advancing to the third round. Next year the Tigers will begin competing in the American Athletic Conference.

Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic

The 2013 event will showcase defending national champion Connecticut at Duke on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. on ESPN2. The 12th annual women’s game will be played in Durham, N.C., at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Duke’s campus.

The Huskies are coming off their program-record eighth NCAA National Championship after posting a 35-4 overall record. It was the first of Connecticut’s championships when the Huskies didn’t win a regular-season or BIG EAST Championship. Duke registered a 33-3 overall record in 2012-13, advanced to the NCAA Championship Elite Eight and won its eighth ACC Championship. Seven players – five from Connecticut and two from Duke – will be representing USA Basketball on various teams this summer.

Tickets for the Jimmy V Classic will go on sale at a later date this fall.  Tickets prices range from $15-$250 and will be available for purchase at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone at (866) 858-0008 and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com. The Women’s Jimmy V Basketball Classic tickets will go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 15 at goduke.com/tickets or by calling (919) 681-BLUE. For additional information, please visit http://jimmyvclassic.com/.

The V Foundation

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has funded more than $100 million in cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs. Due to generous donors, the Foundation has an endowment that covers administrative expenses.  The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Board. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.

Media Contact: Rachel Margolis at 860-766-2798, or [email protected]