Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
West Virginia added to Jimmy V Classic after Tennessee withdraws
By ADAM ZAGORIA
No. 15 West Virginia will replace No. 12 Tennessee in the Jimmy V Classic after the Vols withdrew from the event following multiple positive tests within the program, including one by coach Rick Barnes.
West Virginia will face No. 1 Gonzaga in first game of the Dec. 2 event in Indianapolis.
No. 2 Baylor will still play No. 8 Illinois in the second game, Baylor coach Scott Drew said Tuesday.
Baylor was forced to cancel three games to start its season after Drew tested positive, including two games this week at the Empire Classic and Sunday’s game at Seton Hall.
Rhode Island replaces Baylor in the Empire Classic and will face No. 18 Arizona State in one game Wednesday, with No. 3 Villanova meeting Boston College in the other game. The event continues Thursday.
“This is like trying to go through a car wash without getting wet,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas said on air from the Mohegan Sun Arena, home of “Bubbleville.” “It’s going to be disruption after disruption.”
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
