76 Classic pairings finalized

CLEVELAND -- Organizers of the 76 Classic have informed participating schools of the bracket for their event.

The bracket, according to a source, is as follows:

Texas A&M vs. Clemson
West Virginia vs. Long Beach State
UCLA vs. Portland
Butler vs. Minnesota

The Texas A&M-Clemson winner will play the West Virginia-LBSU winner in one semifinal.

The UCLA-Portland winner will play the Butler-Minnesota winner in the other semifinal.

The winners of those games will meet in the championship game.

The dates of the event are Nov. 26, 27 and 29.

Organizers of the 76 Classic are expected to formally announce the bracket in the near future. Worth noting is that half of the participating schools -- No. 10 West Virginia, No. 11 Butler, No. 14 Clemson and No. 16 Minnesota -- are ranked in the CBSSports.com preseason Top 25 (and one) .

Between the Jimmy V Classic and the 76 Classic, Butler should have plenty of early tests this season. Georgetown, Minnesota, and possibly UCLA and Clemson/Texas A&M/West Virginia winner.

If Butler does well against those teams, it should a solid OOC schedule... especially if they schedule a few solid midmajors and another major or two, which they typically do.

76 Classic pairings finalized

Butler should have the #1 OOC strength of schedule this year. They also play Xavier, Ohio State, and Davidson at home, and Stanford, UAB, and Northwestern on the road. Plus, they usually get one of the better Bracketbuster matchups because of their high profile (at least for a mid-major), so probably somebody like Sienna or George Mason.

With every starter returning, plus the addition of 6-10 freshman center Andrew Smith, Butler should be a sweet 16 team this year, as long as they don't let the tough early schedule get them down.

Fishstick Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 9, 2007	Posted on: July 8, 2009 7:49 pm Score: 92 76 Classic pairings finalized Between the Jimmy V Classic and the 76 Classic, Butler should have plenty of early tests this season. Georgetown, Minnesota, and possibly UCLA and Clemson/Texas A&M/West Virginia winner. If Butler does well against those teams, it should a solid OOC schedule... especially if they schedule a few solid midmajors and another major or two, which they typically do. [ Reply to Comment ]
CoolBeans Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 27, 2006	Posted on: July 8, 2009 7:51 pm Score: 85 76 Classic pairings finalized Pretty decent tournament. UCLA, Clemson, WVU, Butler, and Minnesota are all Top 25 caliber teams. Portland shocked Gonzaga last year. These are practically home games for LB St. Texas A&M will be seeking respect. A great tournament. [ Reply to Comment ]
wizardking Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 17, 2006	Posted on: July 8, 2009 9:04 pm Score: 77 76 Classic pairings finalized Clemson over Texas A&M West Virginia over Long Beach State Portland over UCLA Butler over Minnesota West Virginia over Clemson Butler over Portland Butler over West Virginia [ Reply to Comment ]
Shenry0924 Reputation: 82 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 5, 2009	Posted on: July 8, 2009 9:11 pm Score: 51 76 Classic pairings finalized Why Portland? Was Utah Valley State already booked to play in the Montana Sprinkled Cupcake Classic? Way to give UCLA some tough first round competition. That pairing alone makes that tournament a joke. You have TAM against Clemson, then UCLA against Portland on the other side??? [ Reply to Comment ]
KVSkubball Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 21, 2008	Posted on: July 9, 2009 12:26 am Score: 61 76 Classic pairings finalized wiz... I don't know about your other picks, but I'll take A&M over Clemson. [ Reply to Comment ]
hortonamos Reputation: 88 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 13, 2009	Posted on: July 9, 2009 1:08 am Score: 104 76 Classic pairings finalized Butler should have the #1 OOC strength of schedule this year. They also play Xavier, Ohio State, and Davidson at home, and Stanford, UAB, and Northwestern on the road. Plus, they usually get one of the better Bracketbuster matchups because of their high profile (at least for a mid-major), so probably somebody like Sienna or George Mason. With every starter returning, plus the addition of 6-10 freshman center Andrew Smith, Butler should be a sweet 16 team this year, as long as they don't let the tough early schedule get them down. [ Reply to Comment ]
allorange Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 24, 2006	Posted on: July 9, 2009 10:25 am Score: 48 76 Classic pairings finalized for what reasons??? [ Reply to Comment ]
Cuchip Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Aug 13, 2006	Posted on: July 9, 2009 11:48 am Score: 50 76 Classic pairings finalized Sorry, but Clemson doesn't lose early in the season like this. If the game was in late Feb or March, then yes, possibly A&M would win...... Seriously though, I think you are underestimating Clemson here. [ Reply to Comment ]
Cuchip Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Aug 13, 2006	Posted on: July 9, 2009 11:51 am Score: 64 76 Classic pairings finalized then again...I may be underestimating A & M as well. They are a pretty solid ball club. I just don't know what they lost off of last years team. [ Reply to Comment ]
SouthKnox Reputation: 81 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 1, 2009	Posted on: July 9, 2009 12:12 pm Score: 61 76 Classic pairings finalized Don't think Davidson will help SOS at all this year!! [ Reply to Comment ]

Gary Parrish

Parrish: The Thoughts