Hoops for Hope Classic 2013: What to Watch for in Tournament Finale

Looking for the longer of the short straws in the Hoops for Hope Classic held in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Texas State will take on Cedarville in the tournament finale on Wednesday, December 4, at 8 p.m.

Cedarville (1-6) is in search of its first win in the tournament, while Texas State (2-6) claimed its first two wins of the season during the Classic with victories over Northern Kentucky and Tulane.

Texas State has scored 70 points or more in each contest during the tournament while going 2-1 after a loss to Southeast Missouri State on Sunday. The Bobcats are led by senior forward Joel Wright, who has averaged 15.6 points per game and has scored in the double digits each game.

Wright, also known as "Air Jamaica," has pulled in 15 rebounds during the tournament and can shoot from behind the arc with a .571 shooting percentage from deep range. Here's a little sample of his arsenal:

In the paint, Wright will be forced to defend Cedarville's Brian Grant. The senior has one inch on Wright at 6'8" and, much like Wright, has averaged over 10 points per game this season with 11.3 for the Yellow Jackets.

Grant, who ironically enough also attended Jamaica College, is not quite the threat from outside that Wright has proven to be, but has hauled in five rebounds per game and averages nearly two blocks per contest.

Answer to the question you might be asking yourself, but are likely not: Grant is not related to former Georgetown alum and NBA journeyman Brian Grant:

The two will square off for what is sure to be a grand battle between two desperate teams contending for their respective place in preseason basketball tournament lore.