There is one game we know when and where we are playing. That is November 21st at 7:00 MST versus Illinois State from the island of St. Thomas.
The Paradise Jam seeds the teams by the previous seasons RPI and matches them up. I thought Seton Hall finished a little ahead of Illinois State in RPI, but they were very close. I would rather be matched up against Seton Hall because it would enable us to play a team from the Big East. Illinois State returns all of their players from last years team and appears to be really solid inside and out. They may compete for the Missouri Valley this year.
I think this will be a good test for us. If we win, we have the chance to play LSU on a neutral court. We also have the chance at playing Clemson, Seton Hall or maybe Nevada in the Championship or consolation game. The key is to win that first game. I love the prospect of playing good teams from great conferences.
I am starting to line up my personal travel for the trip. I think I know what the Sac State women felt like trying to go to Grand Forks. Leaving SLC at 11:30 PM on the 2oth arrive at JFK around 5:30 AM. Then from JFK to Puerto Rico, we get there around noon. Then from Puerto to St. Thomas arriving at 2:00 PM. I suggest booking early their aren't a ton of travel options in and out of St. Thomas. I am looking forward to a good time. We know win or lose we will be playing 3 games. I just hope it is against LSU and Clemson and not Old Dominion and Gardner Webb.