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CHARLOTTESVILLEVirginia has accepted an invitation for its men’s basketball team to play in the inaugural College Basketball Invitational Tournament provided the Cavaliers are not invited to participate in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The NIT will announce its 2008 field after the NCAA Tournament selections are announced on Sunday (March 16).
“We are pleased to receive an invitation to participate in the inaugural College Basketball Invitational,” said Virginia Executive Associate Director of Athletics Jon Oliver. “After discussing our postseason possibilities with Athletics Director Craig Littlepage and Head Coach Dave Leitao, it was determined our approach would be to pursue options that would allow our student-athletes the opportunity to keep playing. Our efforts the last two days were focused on understanding the logistics of the new tournament and keeping all of our options open.”
If Virginia receives an invitation to participate in the NIT, it will accept that invitation.
If the Cavaliers are not invited to the NIT, Virginia will host a first round game in the 16-team CBI Tournament on Tuesday (March 18) at John Paul Jones Arena. UVa’s opponent and the rest of the CBI Tournament field will be announced on Sunday. Reserved seat tickets for the game will cost $10 and tickets are $5 for UVa students. There will be a $5 charge for parking.
Tickets will go on sale online at VirginiaSports.com shortly after the invitation is officially accepted Sunday night. Student tickets may be purchased online at UVaShots.com beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday (March 17).
Tickets may be purchased by telephone or in person through the Virginia athletics ticket office beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday. The ticket office is located in Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium and may be reached by calling 1-800-542-UVA1 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Donors to the Virginia Athletics Foundation will have access first-come first-served to sections 112, 113 and 114 at John Paul Jones Arena through Monday.
A definitive starting time for the game has not been determined, but is expected to be 7 p.m. pending the possibility of television coverage of the game.
If Virginia is invited to participate in the NIT and hosts a first round game, the information regarding tickets and parking remains the same as for a first round game in the CBI.