First Team All-Name: College Hoops Tournaments
One of the great underrated gems of the sports calendar is the early-season college basketball tournaments. You’ve got games starting in the morning, going all day through the night.
Games are being played all over the world, and we actually get some good matchups. Everyone appears to have a good time because it’s the holidays so you can’t be in a bad mood, and the coaches dress casual, which is always fun or all involved.
Some tournaments have already started and some are still a month away. It’s a fun time around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to settle in for a nice little college hoops sesh.
As a guy who loves creative names, I have to give props to the people who run these college basketball tournaments. Just from the names, I could not be more intrigued.
According to this list on Blogging the Bracket, there are 55 early-season college basketball tournaments. This does not include single game events. Just your regular tournament with brackets and all that fun stuff.
So I went through them all and ranked the top 11 based on name alone. In another Deceptive Speed exclusive, enjoy First Team All-Name: College Hoops Tournaments edition.
1. Junkanoo Jam
I don’t know what kind of things happen here, but I’m fairly positive I’d like to be a part of it.
2. U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam
When I think college basketball preseason tournaments, my mind goes directly to the Paradise Jam. I thought this would be at the top of the list, but then I saw Junkanoo Jam. Changed everything. What an upset.
3. Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis
Anything sponsored by Bad Boy Mowers has my vote.
4. VisitcurrituckOBX.com Battle in the Blue Ridge
We’ve got a lot going on here with that website, but throw out the records when you’re battling in the Blue Ridge.
5. GotPrint.com Legends Classic Presented by Old Trapper
College basketball is much better than the NBA because of the pageantry of the GotPrint.com Legends Classic Presented by Old Trapper. You don’t find that in the NBA.
6. Bimini Jam
If you’ve learned anything so far, just add “Jam” to the end of your tournament, and you’ll make it on this list.
7. Maui Jim Maui Invitational
No such thing as too many Mauis.
8. Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic
I’m fairly positive all the players must be high to play in this tournament. Please do not fact check this. Honor system.
9. St. Pete Shootout
Anytime you can add shootout to something, it makes it that much cooler. Can’t wait for the shootout in St. Pete.
10. Goldie and Herman Ungar Classic
An absolute classic.
11. Deep South Showcase
Waaaay deeper than the South Showcase.
Also receiving votes:
Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic
Gotham Classic
Battle at the Boardwalk
Jersey Mike’s Jamaica Classic
The Worst
NIT Season Tip-Off
No creativity here. NIT is associated with a disappointing season. Nobody gets excited for this. The name just creates confusion. End the NIT Season Tip-Off.
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