Paradise Jam 2014: Teams, Schedule, Live Stream, Bracket, TV Info
Players and coaches often refer to these early-season college basketball tournaments as nothing more than business trips, but you can be certain everyone involved is excited to participate in the Paradise Jam.
With teams making trips all over North America, it is hard to compete with this type of atmosphere:
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Illinois State even prepared for their games by snorkeling:
Somewhere between the fun in the sun, eight teams will play in a basketball tournament. The good news for fans watching at home is there should be some real competitive games between squads hoping to improve upon last season's performances.
There are no elite programs in this tournament, but a few teams have a chance to surprise people in 2014-15, and this event would be a good place to start.
Here is a guide for everything you need to know for the 2014 Paradise Jam from the Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
| Nov. 21 | 1 | Clemson vs. Gardner Webb | 1:30 p.m. | - |
| Nov. 21 | 2 | Seton Hall vs. Nevada | 4 p.m. | CBS Sports |
| Nov. 21 | 3 | LSU vs. Old Dominion | 6:30 p.m. | CBS Sports |
| Nov. 21 | 4 | Illinois State vs. Weber State | 9 p.m. | - |
| Nov. 22 | 5 | Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 | 2:30 p.m. | - |
| Nov. 22 | 6 | Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 | 5 p.m. | - |
| Nov. 23 | 7 | Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 | 6 p.m. | CBS Sports |
| Nov. 23 | 8 | Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 | 9 p.m. | CBS Sports |
| Nov. 24 | 9 | Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6 | 1:30 p.m. | - |
| Nov. 24 | 10 | Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 | 4 p.m. | - |
| Nov. 24 | 11 | Loser Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8 | 6:30 p.m. | CBS Sports |
| Nov. 24 | 12 | Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8 | 9 p.m. | CBS Sports |
Full bracket can be seen at ParadiseJam.com. Select games available online courtesy of CBS Sports.
Top Player to Watch: Jordan Mickey, LSU
While teammate Jarell Martin might possess more upside and could end up being a better pro prospect, Jordan Mickey continues to impress at LSU.
During both players' freshman season, Mickey led the Tigers with 7.9 rebounds per game and trailed only Johnny O'Bryant with 12.7 points per game. This year, he is ready to be even better, with a total of 39 points, 20 rebounds and seven assists in just two games this season.
Ron Higgins of The Times-Picayune notes what makes the forward so entertaining:
Between Mickey and Martin, LSU has a chance to be competitive in what could be a wide-open SEC behind Kentucky and Florida.
Seton Hall's Isaiah Whitehead also deserves a mention in this category, although he might need some time before becoming a star attraction.
Sleeper Team to Watch: Old Dominion
Old Dominion had mixed results in its first year in Conference USA, but the squad returns the majority of its top contributors and will now look to be a top contender in the conference.
Only Dimitri Batten—who transferred to Boston College—is gone from the eight-man rotation Jeff Jones used throughout the year.
Aaron Bacote is the key player after averaging 15.5 points per game as a sophomore, although he has gotten off to a slow start this season. While letting others get involved is a good thing, the junior guard will have to be more aggressive in this tournament if he wants to help the Monarchs steal some wins.
One thing that might hurt this team against power-conference opponents is its lack of size. No one is taller than 6'9", a factor that could stand out against LSU in the first game. However, Old Dominion's depth could help this group pull off an upset or two in St. Thomas.
Predicted Winners: Seton Hall
LSU has two of the better frontcourt players in the nation, but questions about the guard play cause concern about how the squad will fare against better opponents. Two less-than-convincing wins at home to start the year should not create too much confidence in Baton Rouge.
Clemson also has a chance to do some damage in the Virgin Islands, but the squad seems a year away from truly being competitive. After a home loss to Winthrop, Tigers fans might not be rushing to make the trip to watch this team play.
As a result, this event could be Seton Hall's to lose.
Brandon Mobley and Sterling Gibbs provide plenty of leadership as upperclassmen, while the incoming freshman class is only going to get better with time.
The X-factor is Whitehead, who went just 1-of-10 from the floor in his debut, including 0-of-5 from beyond the arc. Despite this, his coach is not concerned with the slow start.
"I thought Isaiah played terrible. And you know what? I knew he would," Kevin Willard explained after the 63-47 win over Mercer. "I went and checked every freshman [in the conference] and looked at...how they played. Not one guy in their first game played good."
Still, the guard has all the tools to be one of the best scorers in the country. If he can play to his ability, the Pirates should be able to come through with a tournament title.
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