May 6, 2010
MADISON, Wis. - You just finished playing in your 12th-consecutive NCAA tournament, what are you going to do now? I'm going to Disney World!
That's the mantra resonating from the Wisconsin men's basketball offices after agreeing to participate in the 2010 Old Spice Classic, to be held on Thanksgiving weekend at the Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Fla.
In addition to the Badgers, the field for the fifth-annual Old Spice Classic will include 2009-10 NCAA Tournament teams California, Notre Dame, Temple, and Texas A&M, as well as Boston College, Georgia and Manhattan.
"Over the last five years, the Old Spice Classic has grown as fast as any tournament in terms of reputation," associate head coach Greg Gard said. "We think we've put together a great non-conference schedule and this tournament is certainly a major part of that. Among the teams in the tournament are Pac-10 winner Cal, Atlantic 10 winner Temple and Texas A&M, who was runner-up in the Big 12. The ultimate goal is to get ready for league play and this tournament gives us a chance to see a lot of different styles and potentially play against postseason contenders."
The 2010 Old Spice Classic will feature 12 games through three days, Nov. 25, 26 and 28. Sponsors include Old Spice, ESPNU and Disney's Wide World of Sports. Each team is guaranteed three games, advancing through a bracketed-tournament format. The two teams that remain undefeated throughout will face off in a championship match Sunday, Nov. 28.
Previous winners of the Old Spice Classic: Florida State in 2009, Gonzaga in 2008, North Carolina State in 2007 and Arkansas in 2006.
"In basketball circles, the Old Spice Classic has gained a deserved reputation as one of the top collegiate events during the holiday season," Richard J. Ensor, Commissioner of the MAAC, said. "The event combines top ranked teams, world-class facilities, 24/7 media coverage and the magic of a Disney World visit. The MAAC is pleased to continue its sponsorship of the Old Spice Classic."
The tournament is a weekend-long affair at the Walt Disney World Resort, and participating teams are invited to the Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks and other event functions.
"Spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Orlando should be a great experience for both our student-athletes and fans," Gard continued. "Orlando is an easy destination to get to in terms of travel, and Disney World obviously has great appeal for fans."
This will mark the fifth time in the last six seasons that Wisconsin has participated in a tropical non-conference tournament, including the 2009 Maui Invitational, the 2008 Paradise Jam Tournament in the Virgin Islands, the 2006 South Padre Invitational and the 2005 Paradise Jam.
Additional information can be found on the Old Spice Classic Web site at www.oldspiceclassic.com. For more information on the Wide World of Sports, visit www.disneysports.com.
Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
Opened in 1997 at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States. The sprawling 220-acre state-of-the-art complex features the Milk House, a 165,000-square-foot field house which seats 5,500 for basketball; the 9,500-seat Champion Stadium ballpark; the Hess Sports Fields, which include multiple baseball, softball and soccer fields; and the Jostens Center, an 80,000 square foot multi-sport field house. In addition, the complex has 11 tennis courts, including a stadium court, and a track and field complex. The complex is home to more than 180 amateur and professional sports and entertainment events each year, including the Major League Baseball Atlanta Braves spring training, the Pop Warner Super Bowl, Chelsea Football Club events, the Special Olympics Florida Summer Games and AAU National Championship events. Please visit www.disneysports.com for more information.
