There might be more famous early-season tournaments in the college basketball world, but everyone wants to go to paradise.

The Virgin Islands will host the 12th annual Paradise Jam, featuring some of the best up-and-coming teams in the country.

While Connecticut is the headliner, there are a number of squads that will give the Huskies a run for their money in this four-day tournament.

Each team has three games in this event, so everyone better come prepared in order to start their season off on a good note. 

 

Where: University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

When: November 16 - 19

Watch: CBS Sports

Live Stream: Paradise Jame Live

Hi-res-141071763_crop_exact Ethan Miller/Getty Images

 

Bracket and Full Schedule (via ParadiseJam.com):

Game Date Time (ET) Teams TV?
1 Nov. 16 1:30 p.m. Mercer vs. George Mason No
2 Nov. 16 4 p.m. UIC vs. New Mexico Yes
3 Nov. 16 6:30 p.m. UConn vs. Wake Forest Yes
4 Nov. 16 9 p.m.  Quinnipiac vs. Iona No
5 Nov. 17 2:30 p.m. Loser Gm 1 vs. Loser Gm 2 No
6 Nov. 17 5 p.m. Loser Gm 3 vs. Loser Gm 4 No
7 Nov. 18 6 p.m.  Winner Gm 1 vs. Winner Gm 2 Yes
8 Nov. 18 9 p.m. Winner Gm 3 vs. Winner Gm 4 Yes
9 Nov. 19 2:30 p.m. 7th/8th Place Game No
10 Nov. 19 5 p.m. 4th/6th Place Game No
11 Nov. 19 7:30 p.m. 3rd/5th Place Game Yes
12 Nov. 19 10 p.m. Championship Game Yes

 

Injuries (via USA Today)

Mercer

Who Wins?

Submit Vote vote to see results

PG Langston Hall (Ankle) Questionable

 

George Mason

F Erik Copes (Suspension) Out for Game 1

F Vaughn Gray (Suspension) Out for Game 1

 

UIC

No injuries to report

 

New Mexico

G Jamal Fenton (Suspension) Out

 

Connecticut

No injuries to report

 

Hi-res-140939084_crop_exact Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Wake Forest

F Daniel Green (Knee) Out for season

 

Iona

No injuries to report

 

Quinnipiac

No injuries to report

 

What They're Saying

Hi-res-109846440_crop_exact Chris Chambers/Getty Images

While this tournament is normal for teams like UConn and Wake Forest, the rest of the field should be excited for the chance to be seen on the national stage. 

Iona coach Tim Cluess described the positive effect of these games to Tim Chapman of the Virgin Island Daily News:

It's great for recruiting. Sometimes you have to take a chance and hope these tournaments help you in the long run.

It will be even better for his Gaels if they are able to defeat Quinnipiac in the first round and have a televised matchup with Connecticut in the semifinals.

 

Prediction

Hi-res-141401085_crop_exact Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

It is difficult to see anyone besides Connecticut winning this tournament.

The young team looked very impressive in a season-opening win over Michigan State, and no one will be able to stay with the backcourt of Shabazz Napier, Ryan Boatright and Omar Calhoun. 

Fortunately, there are a number of other teams that will be able to contend.

Iona might have lost Scott Machado, but former Arizona standout MoMo Jones has the ability to take over games himself and can drag his team deep into the tournament. 

New Mexico also returns most of its roster from a team that was three points away from the Sweet 16 a year ago and should make another run this year. 

In the end, however, UConn has the talent and big-game experience to win it all.