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The matchups for the 29th annual doubleheader
were announced on Monday, with 2023 Final Four participant
Florida Atlantic facing Illinois in the other game. Both
contests will air on ESPN.
The event is named for legendary North Carolina State coach Jim
Valvano and benefits the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The
foundation has distributed more than $310 million in cancer
research grants in its 30-year history.
"It's an honor to be invited to participate in the Jimmy V
Classic to help raise funds for such a worthwhile cause that
hits close to home for my wife Andrea and me, with the loss of
her father to this dreaded disease," UConn head coach Dan Hurley
said, per ESPN. "I know our team and our UConn fan base are
thrilled to be coming to Madison Square Garden to compete
against one of the most storied programs in college basketball.
We are very much looking forward to Dec. 5."
Hurley's Huskies return starters Tristen Newton and Alex Karaban
and sixth man Donovan Clingan from the lineup that captured the
school's fifth NCAA Tournament title last season.
UNC is looking to bounce back after entering 2022-23 as the
preseason No. 1 team only to finish 20-13 and miss the NCAA
tourney.
FAU returns all five starters from the Cinderella squad that
finished 35-4 last season, falling to San Diego State 72-71 in
the Final Four.
Illinois, which beat Texas in overtime in last year's Jimmy V
Classic, features returners Terrence Shannon Jr. and Coleman
Hawkins and transfers Quincy Guerrier (Oregon) and Marcus Domask
(Southern Illinois).
--Field Level Media
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