Barclays Center To Host Legends Classic College Basketball Tournament That Will Rival Champions Classic (Duke, Kentucky, Michigan State, Kansas)
ByMore than just a new stadium for the Nets and Jay-Z concerts, the Barclays Center has brought major college basketball teams to the area -- traditionally the sole job of Madison Square Garden. The arena with the brown exterior will host its biggest and best batch of division I basketball teams next season when Villanova, Michigan, Oregon, and VCU play in the Legends Classic on Nov. 24 and 25, ESPN reported.
All four programs are expected to make the upcoming NCAA tournament. Third-ranked Villanova (28-3, 16-2), #8 Michigan (23-7, 15-3), and #23 VCU (24-7, 12-4) are virtual locks, while Oregon (22-8, 10-8) has a high probability given its recent string of wins, including one over #4 Arizona (28-3, 15-3).
Fortunately for Barclays' ticket sales, all four should be strong again next year. Once more, Villanova will lead the way behind the return of nearly their entire roster, besides G James Bell (14.9 ppg) and G Tony Shenault (2.9 ppg, 1.9 apg). Depending on their NCAA tournament and to be completed recruiting, they could be the nation's #1 team heading into Brooklyn. Michigan should also be a top 10 team next year, even if sophomore guard Nick Stauskas leaves for the draft. They'll return Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary, out this year with an injury. Oregon and VCU will both bring back their leading scorers.
If Oregon and VCU have a strong tournament and solid preseason buzz, the Legends Classic could rival the Champions Classic, another four-team tournament with contractual commitments from Duke, Kentucky, Michigan State, and Louisville until 2016. The four played at the United Center this past year and generated some of the highest NCAA basketball ratings in recent history. They'll play in Indianapolis next year -- and MSG in 2016.