Michigan to highlight third annual UVI Paradise Jam

The Michigan Wolverines will be among 13 NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball teams from the top conferences, converging on St. Thomas for the 3rd annual UVI Paradise Jam, which runs from November 22-30 at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center.

Last year's inaugural men's tournament provided some exciting games and the field this year should not disappoint. The six-team field includes Michigan from the Big 10, BYU of the Mountain West, Kansas State from Big 12, Toledo of the MAC, St. Bonaventure from the Atlantic 10, and Virginia Tech of the Big East.  The men's games will be played on November 22, 23, 24, with the championship round played on the 25.

This year's women's field will feature seven teams competing in two brackets. The 'St. Thomas' bracket consists of Oregon from the PAC-10, South Carolina of the SEC and Boston College from the Big East. The 'St. John' bracket features Duke of the ACC, Arkansas from the SEC, Old Dominion of the Colonial conference, and Hampton the MEAC.  Both tournaments will be played Nov. 28, 29, and 30.  Three of the four 'St.

John' contenders have participated in an NCAA Final Four championship, and both women brackets boast strong experienced teams looking to go deep in the NCAA championships.

The Miami Hurricanes captured last year's inaugural championship of the men's division, defeating Clemson in a closely contested match up.  In its second year of the tournament, the 2001 women's championships included Texas, Arizona State and Florida State.