The Jimmy V Classic is back with four teams from different power conferences coming together in New York City for a good cause. Purdue will play Arizona State in the opener followed by Duke vs. Florida in the 22nd annual Jimmy V Classic benefiting cancer research.
Jimmy V Classic 2016: Schedule, scores, results, and teams
Duke, Florida, Purdue, and Arizona State converge in Madison Square Garden for the Jimmy V Classic.
Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
The event is played in memory of Jim Valvano, the former NC State coach and ESPN broadcaster who lost his bout with cancer in 1993. Proceeds from the event will go to The V Foundation, which has raised more than $150 million for cancer research since its inception.
On the court, Duke’s freshmen will have the spotlight against a surprising Florida team. Jayson Tatum and Marques Bolden returned from injury to make their season debuts in the Blue Devils’ blowout win over Maine on Saturday. Tatum, a 6’8 small forward, was a consensus top-3 recruit and is a likely one-and-done NBA lottery pick, while Bolden is a crafty interior scorer similar to former Blue Devils star Jahlil Okafor.
The matchup against Florida won’t be easy. The Gators are 7-1 with wins over Miami and Seton Hall thus far. Sophomore guard KeVaughn Allen is leading the team with 12 points per game, while senior Canyon Barry and junior Devin Robinson are also double-digit scorers.
Purdue will have a tough test against Arizona State in the opening game. Purdue is No. 18 in this week’s AP Poll at 6-2 with losses to only No. 1 Villanova and No. 11 Louisville. The Boilermakers have a star in sophomore power forward Caleb Swanigan, who is averaging 17.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. Swanigan has also added a three-point shot to his game this year, making 7-of-11 attempts on the season.
Bobby Hurley’s Sun Devils would love to pick up a victory after a 5-3 start. Arizona State lost to Kentucky by 46 points last Monday, and have also dropped games to Davidson and Northern Iowa. Three ASU players -- Tra Holder, Torian Graham, and Shannon Evans -- are each averaging 17 points per game.
Here’s how to watch the 2016 Jimmy V Classic:
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York City
When: Dec. 6, 2016
Time: Purdue-Arizona State at 7 p.m. ET, Duke-Florida at 9 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Stream: Watch ESPN
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