Travel Package Info / Book Online | Bracket (ET) | Bracket (HT)
HONOLULU – The Illinois State men's basketball team will face 2016 NCAA qualifier Hawai'i live on ESPN2 in the first of three games at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, Dec. 22, 23 and 25, according to the tournament bracket, unveiled Thursday afternoon.
ISU will battle the host Rainbow Warriors in a Dec. 22 nightcap, with tipoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. HT, which translates to 12:30 a.m. CT on Dec. 23. Hawai'i advanced to the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament after winning the Big West Tournament. The Rainbow Warriors went 28-6 overall last season and 13-3 in the Big West.
The Redbirds will then play either Utah or San Francisco on Dec. 23 in a championship bracket or consolation semifinal matchup. Utah earned an at-large bid to the 2016 NCAA Tournament and advanced to the second round. The Utes finished with a 27-9 overall record and a 13-5 mark in the Pac-12 Conference. San Francisco went 16-11 in 2015-16 with a 10-10 California Collegiate Athletic Association record.
The four other Diamond Head Classic teams include 2016 NCAA qualifiers Tulsa and Stephen F. Austin, 2016 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) qualifier San Diego State, plus Southern Miss. The multi-day, destination event will feature 12 games over three days. Each team will compete in one game per day, advancing through a bracketed-tournament format. Six of the 12 matchups, including the Dec. 25 championship game, will be showcased on ESPN2. ESPNU will carry four games, and two will be exclusive to ESPN3.
Travel Package Offered for Redbird Fans
Along with the Diamond Head Classic bracket, a fan trip organized by Suzi Davis Travel, in conjunction with WJBC Radio, was also announced Thursday. Redbird fans have a chance to cheer on ISU while enjoying a late-December escape to the silken sands of O'ahu's Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. Hosted by the University of Hawai'i, every Diamond Head Classic game is played at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.
For $2,499 per person based on double occupancy in a partial ocean view room, guests will fly roundtrip, nonstop on United Airlines from Chicago to Honolulu, departing Dec. 20 and returning Dec. 27. Guests will stay six nights at the Waikiki Beach Resort, which is also the team hotel, with transportation between the airport, resort and tournament site included. Each fan will receive an all-session, lower level game ticket to cheer on the Redbirds.
Packages without airfare in a partial ocean view room, for $1,265.85 per person based on double occupancy, are also available to those who wish to make their own flight arrangements. For details, including all packages, and to book online, fans are encouraged to visit: SuziDavis.com/Redbirds. A $500 deposit per person is due at registration and final payment is due by Sept. 14.
Fans with questions or who wish to make reservations can call Suzi Davis Travel at (309)Â 662-0455Â or (866) 592-0455.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
