UConn-North Carolina headlines Jimmy V Traditional

Jeff Borzello, ESPN

• Personnel WriterAug 7, 2023, 01:00 PM ET Close Basketball recruiting insider.
• Signed up with ESPN in 2014.
• Graduate of University of Delaware.Reigning nationwide champion UConn will take

  on North Carolina in this season’s Jimmy V Classic, with Last Four individual Florida Atlantic fighting Illinois in the other matchup.The two matches for the 29th annual doubleheader were revealed Monday and will take place on Dec. 5 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Both games will air on ESPN.Three of the 4 teams are ranked in ESPN’s most recent Way-Too-Early Preseason Top 25, with UConn slotting in at No.

  5, FAU ranked No. 9 and North Carolina at No. 15. All 3 teams have actually made Final Four runs within the previous 2 NCAA tournaments.Editor’s Picks

  1 Associated UConn returns two starters and breakout candidate Donovan Clingan from the team that dominated all six challengers in the NCAA competition en path to the national championship, winning every game by at least 13 points. The Huskies likewise welcome effect transfer Web cam Spencer from Rutgers and a top-three recruiting class that includes five-star prospect Stephon Castle.

  “It’s an honor to be welcomed to take part in the Jimmy V Classic to help raise funds for such a worthwhile cause that strikes near home for my other half Andrea and me, with the loss of her dad to this feared illness,” UConn coach Dan Hurley stated. “I know our team and our UConn fan base are enjoyed be pertaining to Madison Square Garden to contend against among the most storied programs in college basketball. We are very much eagerly anticipating Dec. 5.”

  North Carolina is seeking to get better from its traditionally frustrating 2022-23 season, when the Tar Heels opened the season ranked No. 1 and missed the NCAA competition. Armando Bacot and R.J. Davis are back to anchor the lineup, while top-10 hire Elliot Cadeau and five transfers will seek to make an instant impact.Florida Atlantic welcomes back all five beginners from last season’s stunning run to the Last Four. Dusty May’s group will be led by Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin, and the Owls will be out to prove their 35-4 record last season was no fluke. “Florida Atlantic basketball is enjoyed belong of this year’s Jimmy V Classic,”May said. “We look forward to taking part in this occasion and, most notably, supporting the V Structure. For our group, going back to Madison Square Garden will be really unique and we’re excited for the opportunity to play an excellent program like Illinois.”Illinois received a huge boost when Terrence Shannon Jr. and Coleman Hawkins opted to go back to Champaign instead of turning professional, and Brad Underwood entered into the transfer website to land the similarity Quincy Guerrier (Oregon)and Marcus Domask(Southern Illinois ). Last year’s Jimmy V Classic saw Illinois beat Texas in overtime and Duke take down Iowa, 74-62.

  The event has been held at Madison Square Garden every year considering that 2003, with the exception of the COVID-impacted 2020-21 season.Named for legendary coach Jim Valvano, the Jimmy V Timeless each year raises money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research Study. To

  date, ESPN has helped raise more than$200 million for the V Foundation. In 2015 set a record, with 2022’s V Week raising $14.4 million.The matchups for the females’s Jimmy V Classic, which began in 2002, will be revealed at a later date.