May 30, 2008

WACO, Texas - Baylor will participate in the second annual Anaheim Classic, an eight-team tournament played Thanksgiving weekend in Anaheim, Calif., ESPN Regional Television announced Thursday.

The 12-game, bracketed collegiate basketball tournament features eight schools that combined to win more than 62 percent of their games last season. The games will air live on either ESPN2 or ESPNU and will be played at the Anaheim Convention Center adjacent to Disneyland on Nov. 27, 28 and 30. Tournament pairings and game times will be announced at a later date.

Baylor is one of three schools in the 2008 Anaheim Classic field that earned a berth in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, along with Cal State Fullerton of the Big West and St. Mary's of the West Coast Conference. Arizona State of the Pac-10 and the Atlantic 10's Charlotte competed in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT); while UTEP of Conference USA participated in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) event. Completing the 2008 Anaheim Classic field are Providence of the Big East and Wake Forest of the ACC.

"We are excited about the quality of the field, representing outstanding conferences from around the country. These teams compete at the highest level and should entertain the college basketball fans in the Southern California area," said Pete Derzis, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Regional Television. "The Anaheim Classic showcases quality competition and an outstanding off-court experience for the student-athletes, coaches and staff. Fans will have an opportunity to spend the Thanksgiving weekend watching college basketball and enjoying Disneyland, along with all that Southern California has to offer."

The Big West Conference again serves as the host for the Anaheim Classic at the 7,800-seat Anaheim Convention Center, which has served the conference for the past eight years as the site of its postseason tournament. The Anaheim Classic features four games each day, with the two undefeated teams competing in the championship game on ESPN2 on Nov. 30.

Baylor is coming off its most successful season in decades and will suit up an experienced squad in 2008-09. The Bears, who finished fourth in the Big 12 Conference and played in their first NCAA Tournament in 20 years last season, return eight of their top nine players and their top five scorers.

Tickets for the Anaheim Classic will be available to the general public on Monday, August 18, 2008, through www.Tickemaster.com or Ticketmaster at (714) 704-2000. Packages include 12 games for $75 and single-session tickets for $15. Special travel package information can be found at www.anaheimclassic.com or www.GETTRAVEL.com.

2008 ANAHEIM CLASSIC

                Overall    LeagueSchool           Conf.  Record  RecordArizona State   Pac-10  21-13   9-9Baylor           Big 12 21-11   9-7Cal St. Fullerton   Big West    24-9    12-4Charlotte            A-10   20-14   9-7Providence  Big East    15-16   6-12UTEP             CUSA   19-14   8-8St. Mary's  WCC 25-7    12-2Wake Forest ACC 17-13   7-9