Miami vs. Mississippi State in Puerto Rico
The University of Miami men’s basketball team will face Mississippi State on Thursday, Nov. 19 in the opening round of the 2015 Puerto Rico Tip-Off in San Juan, the event announced Thursday.
The matchup will be the third game of the day, with tip time and television network still being determined.
“The Puerto Rico Tip-Off will test our team early, as we open the event against Mississippi State, then will play either Texas Tech or Utah, which played in the 2015 NCAA Sweet 16,” Larrañaga said. “We look forward to competing against some of the top basketball programs early in the season at this great ESPN exempt event.”
With a win on Thursday, Miami will play at 7 p.m. on Friday, a loss will place Miami in the 5 p.m. game, facing the winner/loser of the Utah of Texas Tech Thursday night matchup. On the third and final day of the event, Miami could play Butler, Minnesota, Missouri State or Temple.
The Canes last played in the Puerto Rico event in 2007, when Miami defeated Marist, VCU and Providence to take home the championship.
“The games will be a nice homecoming for our point guard Angel Rodriguez, who hails from nearby Cupey,” Larrañaga added. “We expect to have a large crowd of fans cheering for Angel and The U at our three games in Puerto Rico.”
Puerto Rico is the home of senior Rodriguez, who lived in Cupey, P.R., until he was 15 years old. Rodriguez still has family in Puerto Rico, including his mother and brothers.
2015 Puerto Rico Tip-Off Schedule
(2014-2015 record, post-season)
Thursday, November 19
Game 1 – 11:30 a.m. ET – Temple (26-11, NIT) vs. Minnesota (18-15), ESPNU
Game 2 – 1:30 p.m. ET – Butler (23-11, NCAA) vs. Missouri State (11-20), ESPNU
Game 3 – TBD p.m. ET Miami (25-13, NIT) vs. Mississippi State (13-19), Network TBD
Game 4 – TBD p.m. ET – Utah (26-9, NCAA) vs. Texas Tech (13-19), Network TBD
Friday, November 20
Game 5 – 10:30 a.m. ET – Game 1 loser (Temple/Minnesota) vs. Game 2 loser (Butler/Missouri State), ESPNU
Game 6 – 1 p.m. ET – Game 1 winner (Temple/Minnesota) vs. Game 2 winner (Butler/Missouri State), ESPN2/ESPNU
Game 7 – 5 p.m. ET – Game 3 loser (Miami/Mississippi State) vs. Game 4 loser (Utah/Texas Tech), ESPNU
Game 8 – 7 p.m. ET – Game 3 winner (Miami/Mississippi State) vs. Game 4 winner (Utah/Texas Tech), ESPNU
Sunday, November 22
Game 9 – 12 p.m. ET – Game 5 losers vs. Game 7 losers, ESPN3
Game 10 – 2:30 p.m. ET – Game 5 winners vs. Game 7 winners, ESPNU
Game 11 – 4:30 p.m. ET – Game 6 losers vs. Game 8 losers, ESPNU
Championship Game, Game 12 – 7:30 p.m. ET – Game 6 winners vs. Game 8 winners, ESPN2
