University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Gophers Set to Play in the 2024 ESPN Events Invitational
7/25/2024 1:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The University of Minnesota men's basketball team will compete in the 2024 ESPN Events Invitational, Nov. 28-29, at State Farm Field House (ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex) in Kissimmee, Fla. The ESPN Events Invitational field includes Minnesota, Florida, Wake Forest and Wichita State. Game matchups, times and television information will follow at a later date.
The 2024 tournament will mark Minnesota's third time in Orlando for a nonconference tournament and the first since 2011. Now known as the ESPN Events Invitational, the Gophers played in the previously-named Old Spice Classic in 2011 and in 2006. In head coach Ben Johnson's third year, the Golden Gophers held a 19-15 overall record, one of the best turnaround seasons among Power 6 teams. Minnesota finished as the No. 9 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, a five-seed improvement from the 2022-23 season. Minnesota reached the second round of the 2024 NIT, producing that 10-win turnaround.
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Florida (SEC) reached the NCAA Tournament last season. The Gators played in the ESPN Events Invitational in 2016. Florida is coming off its highest win total (24-12) in seven years and set a program scoring record at 85.6 points per game.
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Wake Forest (ACC) has won 10 or more ACC games in three consecutive seasons for the first time since 2005-2007. The Demon Deacons have won at least 20 games overall in two of the last three seasons, and advanced to the second round of the 2023 NIT. Wake Forest previously played in the Orlando event in 2011.
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Wichita State (American Athletic) also played in the ESPN Events Invitational in 2008 and 2015. Head coach Paul Mills begins his second season after leading the Shockers to a pair of wins in the 2023 AAC Tournament.
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Along with the ESPN Events Invitational field, the NIT Season Tip-Off tourney will also be played at the same location and dates. That field includes North Texas, Northern Iowa, St. Bonaventure and Utah State.
This is the 18th year Walt Disney World has hosted the ESPN Events Invitational at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and the first time the NIT Season Tip-Off has been held at the site. All the games will once again be played at State Farm Field House, a venue that has been the site of world-class basketball competitions including NBA games and elite youth tournaments.
Fans can sign up for first access to pre-sale tickets at the ESPN Events Invitational and NIT Season Tip-Off web sites. Tickets will go on sale later this summer.
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The Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is the official tournament host property, offering fan packages which will be available this summer. Experience Kissimmee is also offering discounted rates at nearby hotels. Both will be able to be found in the travel section of the event website.
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The 2024 tournament will mark Minnesota's third time in Orlando for a nonconference tournament and the first since 2011. Now known as the ESPN Events Invitational, the Gophers played in the previously-named Old Spice Classic in 2011 and in 2006. In head coach Ben Johnson's third year, the Golden Gophers held a 19-15 overall record, one of the best turnaround seasons among Power 6 teams. Minnesota finished as the No. 9 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, a five-seed improvement from the 2022-23 season. Minnesota reached the second round of the 2024 NIT, producing that 10-win turnaround.
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Florida (SEC) reached the NCAA Tournament last season. The Gators played in the ESPN Events Invitational in 2016. Florida is coming off its highest win total (24-12) in seven years and set a program scoring record at 85.6 points per game.
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Wake Forest (ACC) has won 10 or more ACC games in three consecutive seasons for the first time since 2005-2007. The Demon Deacons have won at least 20 games overall in two of the last three seasons, and advanced to the second round of the 2023 NIT. Wake Forest previously played in the Orlando event in 2011.
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Wichita State (American Athletic) also played in the ESPN Events Invitational in 2008 and 2015. Head coach Paul Mills begins his second season after leading the Shockers to a pair of wins in the 2023 AAC Tournament.
Â
Along with the ESPN Events Invitational field, the NIT Season Tip-Off tourney will also be played at the same location and dates. That field includes North Texas, Northern Iowa, St. Bonaventure and Utah State.
This is the 18th year Walt Disney World has hosted the ESPN Events Invitational at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and the first time the NIT Season Tip-Off has been held at the site. All the games will once again be played at State Farm Field House, a venue that has been the site of world-class basketball competitions including NBA games and elite youth tournaments.
Fans can sign up for first access to pre-sale tickets at the ESPN Events Invitational and NIT Season Tip-Off web sites. Tickets will go on sale later this summer.
Â
The Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is the official tournament host property, offering fan packages which will be available this summer. Experience Kissimmee is also offering discounted rates at nearby hotels. Both will be able to be found in the travel section of the event website.
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