Liberty heads to the US Virgin Islands this week to participate in the 2024 Paradise Jam. The Flames will take part in the eight-team tournament where all three of Liberty’s games will be televised on an ESPN network. The games will be played at the University of Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas.
The Flames will open the week against Louisiana on Friday evening at approximately 5:30 p.m. Eastern. Liberty will then play either Kansas State or George Washington. If Liberty beats Louisiana, the second game will be on Sunday at about 8 p.m. If the Flames drop their first contest, they will play again on Saturday at about 5:30 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 25 at 8 p.m.
Big South Tournament champion Longwood and AAC Tournament champion UAB will meet in the tournament opener at 12:30 p.m., followed by Illinois State and Southland Conference champion McNeese at 3 p.m. Louisiana and Liberty will open the evening session, followed by Kansas State and George Washington.
Six of the eight teams in the Paradise Jam won 18 or more games in 2023-24, while Longwood, McNeese and UAB all advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Here’s a quick preview on each of the teams competing in this year’s Paradise Jam this week. Rankings are from KenPom.
#73 LIBERTY (4-1)
- 2023-24 record: 18-14 (7-9 in C-USA/t-4th)
- Head coach Ritchie McKay (12th season)
- Wins: Valpo, Seattle, Carolina University, Charleston
- Losses: FAU
#75 KANSAS STATE (3-1)
- 2023-24 record: 19-15 (8-10 Big 12/t-9th)
- Head coach Jerome Tang (3rd season)
- Wins: New Orleans, Cleveland State, Mississippi Valley State
- Losses: LSU
#101 MCNEESE (2-2)
- 2023-24 record: 30-4 (17-1 in Southland/1st – NCAA Tournament)
- Head coach Will Wade (2nd season)
- Wins: Biblical Studies, North Texas
- Losses: South Dakota State, Alabama
#106 UAB (3-2)
- 2023-24 record: 23-12 (12-6 in AAC/4th – NCAA Tournament)
- Head coach Andy Kennedy (5th season)
- Wins: Southern Miss, Southeastern Louisiana, Auburn Montgomery
- Losses: Vermont, High Point
#145 GEORGE WASHINGTON (4-0)
- 2023-24 record: 15-17 (4-14 in Atlantic 10/15th)
- Head coach Chris Caputo (3rd season)
- Wins: Mercyhurst, Hampton, North Carolina A&T, NJIT
- Losses: N/A
#172 LONGWOOD (5-0)
- 2023-24 record: 21-14 (6-10 in Big South/t-5th – NCAA Tournament)
- Head coach Griff Aldrich (7th season)
- Wins: Randolph, Morgan State, Milwaukee, Tennessee Martin, Binghamton
- Losses: N/A
#191 ILLINOIS STATE (3-1)
- 2023-24 record: 15-17 (9-11 in Missouri Valley/t-7th)
- Head coach Ryan Pedon (3rd season)
- Wins: North Dakota State, Ohio, Trinity Christian
- Losses: Tennessee Martin
#238 LOUISIANA (1-3)
- 2023-24 record: 19-14 (10-8 in Sun Belt/5th)
- Head coach Bob Marlin (15th season)
- Wins: Texas Dallas
- Losses: Kent State, Houston, Rice
BRACKET
*all times listed on bracket are Atlantic Standard Time
