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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Loaded field for the 76 Classic

Los Angeles Times

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Just to be clear about this, Ben Howland has nothing against the holidays.

But if the UCLA coach had a choice in the matter, he might postpone Thanksgiving by a week or two.

That’s because today also marks the start of the 76 Classic, a four-day tournament that promises some of the toughest college basketball of the early season.

Four of the eight teams descending upon the Anaheim Convention Center reside in the top 25 and another falls into the category of “others receiving votes.”

Even the longshots look dangerous, with Long Beach State picked to win the Big West Conference and Portland coming off a victory over Oregon.

That would be the same Portland team UCLA faces tonight in a first-round, post-turkey-dinner game.

“The best field of any tournament in the country,” Howland said. “You look at all the great teams that are in it.”

Butler Coach Brad Stevens expressed similar respect, his 12th-ranked Bulldogs opening against 22nd-ranked Minnesota.

“I mean, you’re talking about a loaded field,” he said.

What the 76 Classic lacks in star power – there’s no top-five entry – it makes up for with depth.

In addition to Butler and Minnesota, the brackets include No. 8 West Virginia and No. 19 Clemson.

Texas A&M guard Donald Sloan calls it a March Madness-like situation.

“It’s going to have that feel to it,” he said. “Some top-caliber teams.”

No matter how the Bruins fare against Portland, they will get a Top 25 opponent in Butler or Minnesota on Friday night.