FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (June 9, 2021) – Originally slated to compete in the Jerry Colangelo Classic a year ago, the Northern Arizona men's basketball team will take part in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame event versus San Diego on Saturday, Dec. 18.
The third annual Jerry Colangelo Classic will also feature premier matchups between Gonzaga vs. Texas Tech, USC vs. Georgia Tech and Grand Canyon vs. San Francisco during the one-day quadruple-header at Phoenix Suns Arena.
"Any time you're associated with Mr. Colangelo, who I consider one of the biggest sports names in Arizona, it's an honor," said head coach
Shane Burcar. "To be invited to this event, it means a lot to NAU Basketball. The other seven teams there are exceptional as well, and the opportunity for our guys to play at the home of the Phoenix Suns, who are making a run to an NBA championship, is one that we're looking forward to. We hope to have a lot of Blue & Gold Lumberjack fans in the crowd."
Ticket information, game times and television broadcast details will be released at a later date. As the health and safety of the athletes, fans and staff is of the utmost importance, the Basketball Hall of Fame will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely in the coming months and provide updates as needed. NAU and San Diego were scheduled to play each other last season as part of the event in downtown Phoenix before it was canceled due to the pandemic.
The Jerry Colangelo Classic is one event in the Hall of Fame's series of collegiate events and this year's classic will feature five 2021 NCAA Tournament teams (Gonzaga, Texas Tech, USC, Georgia Tech, Grand Canyon) including Gonzaga, the national runner-up.
"We look forward to hosting a unique collegiate event in Phoenix, featuring two Arizona teams and honoring Jerry Colangelo, a man who has done so much for the game and the state he calls home," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "We think this will be a great opportunity for college basketball fans to come out and enjoy the wonderful desert climate this holiday season, while taking in four games at the newly renovated Phoenix Suns Arena."
The Lumberjacks and Toreros will be meeting for the 19th time in program history and the third time in the last six seasons. San Diego claimed the last matchup, 79-75, on Dec. 9, 2017 on its home court, marking the Toreros' third consecutive victory over the Lumberjacks.
NAU finished last season with a 6-16 overall record and earned its first Big Sky tournament victory in six seasons. San Diego, out of the West Coast Conference, was 3-11 and is two seasons removed from a 21-win campaign.
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