Basketball Schedule Rumors for 2009-2010

Coach Felton apparently mentioned on his radio call-in show this week that UGA is working to get into the Inaugural Diamond Head Classic on Dec. 22, 23 and 25 (2009) in Hawaii. Assuming we get in, this would be our second trip to Hawaii in three seasons. (HT - MemphisDog...the Walter Cronkite of hoops scheduling rumors.)

The Diamond Head Classic event is owned and operated by ESPN. The tournament will be an eight team and 12 game event with a "winner advances" bracket and consolation games that guarantee every team will play three games.

This will be the fifth early season basketball tournament that ESPN operates*. As you can see from the link above, ESPN does a solid job of filling these tournaments up with quality teams.

That means our 2009-2010 schedule (so far) could include:

Home:
-- Georgia Tech (confirmed)
-- Hawaii (confirmed)

Away:
-- Missouri (confirmed)
-- Virginia Tech (confirmed)

Neutral:
-- Illinois at the Gwinnett Arena (confirmed)
-- Big East Challenge: Site TBD (confirmed)
-- Diamond Head Classic Game 1
-- Diamond Head Classic Game 2
-- Diamond Head Classic Game 3

If we land that schedule, it sets the foundation for a solid to strong non-conference slate in the 2009-2010 season. I think we need one more solid home game, but it looks like a reasonable start otherwise....regardless of who the coach is.

PWD


*Not that you asked, but ESPN also owns and operates six bowl games.