2K Sports Classic 2012: Teams, Schedule, Live Stream, Bracket, TV Info

If you want a little preview of how tournament play in March is going to go down, go ahead and take a day off from work or school—you didn't hear this from me—or life and plop yourself on the couch all day Thursday. 

You have the Legends Classic featuring No. 1 Indiana and No. 13 UCLA. You have the Battle 4 Atlantis between No. 2 Louisville and Samford. You have the Puerto Rico Tip-Off featuring No. 6 North Carolina State. You have the Charleston Classic featuring No. 16 Baylor. 

And in what is quite possibly the most underrated of all of Thursday's pre-conference tourneys, you have the 2K Sports Classic. 

For one, it's taking place in the temple of college basketball: Madison Square Garden. Stanley from The Office could be playing Bill Murray in a game of one-on-one, and it would still be a must-see event in the Garden. 

So, yeah, the 2K Sports Classic field will more than suffice.

The first semifinal features Oregon State and Alabama, which each won their first two regional games to start the tournament.

Craig Robinson's Beavers, in addition to a ton of athleticism, have two of the more unique players in the country. 5'9",165-pound guard Ahmad Starks is an absolute gunner, and there will be plenty of games when he drops 33 points like he did on Sunday against New Mexico State. Joe Burton, meanwhile, is pretty much the exact opposite in terms of size (6'7", 295 pounds), but his ability as a point-forward will surprise you. 

Alabama, meanwhile, has some of the most explosive and entertaining guards in the country. Trevor Lacey, Rodney Cooper, Trevor Releford, Andrew Steele and Levi Randolph, who are all 6'6" and under, will contribute significant minutes. 

The second semifinal isn't too shabby, either.

Villanova point guard Ryan Arcidiacono (25 points, six assists against Marhsall) is a true freshman that you need to see while Purdue has the insanely quick backcourt duo of Anthony Johnson and Ronnie Johnson who are capable of slowing him down. 

Now that I've undoubtedly convinced you of the appeal behind this tourney, let's take a look at when and where to catch all of the action. 

Schedule and Bracket

For a complete bracket view of the entire tournament, check out gazellegroup.com.

Semifinal 1: Alabama vs. Oregon State

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.

When: Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN2

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Semifinal 2: Villanova vs. Purdue

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.

When: Thursday, Nov. 15 at 9:30 p.m. ET (depends on when the first game ends)

Watch: ESPN2

Live Stream: WatchESPN

3rd Place Game: Loser of Alabama/Oregon State vs. Loser of Villanova/Purdue

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.

When: Friday, Nov. 16 at 5:00 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPNU

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Final: Winner of Alabama/Oregon State vs. Winner of Villanova/Purdue

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.

When: Friday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET (depends on when the first game ends)

Watch: ESPN2

Live Stream: WatchESPN

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