Indiana, New Mexico headline 2010 Las Vegas Classic

  • 06/23/2010 10:14 am in

INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 11: Head coach Tom Crean of the Indiana Hoosiers watches during the game against the Northwestern Wildcats in the first round of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 11, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)Here’s the press release for the 2010 Las Vegas Classic, which Indiana will participate in next December:

The 10th Annual Las Vegas Classic is pleased to announce their lineup for the 2010 tournament. The field includes Indiana University, University of Colorado, University of New Mexico, University of Northern Iowa, Longwood University, South Carolina State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and The Citadel.

Indiana University (10-21) makes its first trip to Las Vegas with all five starters returning, led by junior guard Verdell Jones III (14.9 ppg) and Foxsports.com Big Ten freshman of the year forward Christian Watford (12 ppg). The Hoosiers will also welcome back sensational scoring guard, sophomore Maurice Creek (16.4 ppg), who suffered a season ending injury after playing only 12 games his freshman season.

New Mexico is coming off a 30-5 season when it advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1999 and set numerous school records, including most wins. Head Coach Steve Alford was named Mountain West Conference Coach of the year for the 2nd straight season and he finished 3rd in the balloting for AP National coach of the year. The Lobos return one of the nation’s best points guards in senior Dairese Gary (12.8 ppg).

The University of Northern Iowa returns two starters and seven of its top 10 scorers from last year’s Sweet 16 appearance. The Panthers won a school-record 30 games in winning back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference regular and tournament titles. The Panthers will be led by Senior point guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe (10.6 ppg).

The University of Colorado returns all 5 starters which finished 15-16 and had their best season in 5 years. The Buffaloes are led by Big 12 Freshman of the year Alec Burks, who scored a school freshman record 512 points (17.1 ppg). All-Big 12 performer senior guard Cory Higgins has led the team in scoring the last two years and he ranks ninth all-time on the CU scoring list (1,391 points).

Each team will play four games-the first two at campus sites and the final two rounds at the beautiful Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on December 22nd & 23rd.

Tickets for the final rounds in Las Vegas can be purchased at the Indiana athletic ticket office or starting Saturday June 26th by calling the Box Office at the Orleans Arena (702) 284-7777, or on the web at www.orleansarena.com.

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