Preseason hoops classic moves to Florida Southern
Some of the best college basketball programs in the nation will play at Florida Southern College next year to take part in the 2022 Small College Basketball Tip Off Classic.
The Classic is relocating to Lakeland from St. Joseph, Missouri.
Small College Basketball Tip Off Classic founder John McCarthy and Florida Southern College Athletic Director Drew Howard during the press conference at Florida Southern College
“We are thrilled to bring the Small College Basketball Tip Off Classic to Lakeland,” stated John McCarthy, the founder of the event. “With the tremendous support from Florida Southern College and Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing, this will continue to be the most prestigious in-season event within NCAA Division II basketball. Together, we’ll create a special experience for the student athletes, coaches and fans, right in the heart of the Sunshine State. I’d also like to extend my gratitude to the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association for their continued support of our event, as they’ve continued to extend the exemption for our event.”
With some of top NCAA Division II schools in the country taking part in the event, Mark Jackson, director of Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing, is excited about its move to Central Florida.
“With its record of excellence, we’re thrilled to have The Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic relocate to the Florida Southern College campus in Lakeland,” said Jackson. “The addition of this event to our already expansive slate of premier athletic events means more heads in beds for Polk County and more great basketball for Florida to enjoy.”
The 2022 event will be slightly different than previous iterations. Previously called the SCB Hall of Fame Classic and showcasing eight teams, the 2022 incarnation will expand to 10 teams. Lakeland will be the third location to host the event since its inception in 2016.
“Florida Southern College is proud to host this very special event,” Florida Southern College Athletic Director Drew Howard said. “Small College Basketball and John McCarthy do an amazing job of promoting student-athletes at all levels. I am very excited to showcase elite NCAA Division II basketball in the George Jenkins Fieldhouse and bring this event to the Lakeland community.”
In years past, the SCB Tip Off Classic has featured some of the top NCAA Division II institutions in the country. Hosting allows Florida Southern men’s basketball ample opportunities to compete against nationally ranked opponents.
That was the case this year as preseason National Association of Basketball Coaches’ No. 1 Northwest Missouri State, No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.), No. 15 Northern State, and No. 16 Queens (N.C.) all participated.
This will be the first time since the SCB Tip Off Classic’s inaugural year that Florida Southern will participate in the event.
Below are the matchups for the 2022 SCB Tip Off Classic. Each day will consist of five games. For more information on Small College Basketball and the SCB Tip Off Classic, please head to smallcollegebasketball.com.
Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022
11 a.m. — Hillsdale vs. Dallas Baptist
1:15 p.m. — Nova Southeastern vs. Alabama-Huntsville
3:30 p.m. — Minnesota State-Moorhead vs. Valdosta State
5:45 p.m. — Flagler vs. Florida Southern
8 p.m. — Queens vs. Northwest Missouri State
Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022
11 a.m. — Minnesota State-Moorhead vs. Alabama-Huntsville
1:15 p.m. — Nova Southeastern vs. Dallas Baptist
3:30 p.m. — Valdosta State vs. Hillsdale
5:45 p.m. — Queens vs. Florida Southern
8 p.m. — Northwest Missouri State vs. Flagler
Small College Basketball Tip Off Classic founder John McCarthy and Florida Southern College Athletic Director Drew Howard during the press conference at Florida Southern College