- Likely Preseason Top 10 Teams UConn and BYU to Face Off in Their Second Ever Meeting -
PHOENIX – Position Sports, in partnership with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, announced that projected preseason Top 10 teams UConn and BYU will meet in the Hall of Fame Series Boston event on Saturday, November 15, at TD Garden. This marks just the second meeting between the programs, with the Huskies defeating the Cougars in the first matchup during the opening round of the 2003 NCAA Tournament.
"We're thrilled to establish TD Garden as our newest Hall of Fame Series venue, creating a basketball showcase in the heart of New England, just a short journey from our home in Springfield,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “The matchup between UConn and BYU brings together one of the sport’s premier programs and one of its most exciting up-and-coming teams, led by a local talent in AJ Dybantsa. This event not only highlights elite college basketball but also reinforces our ongoing relationship with the Boston Celtics and our shared commitment to celebrating the game's rich history in the region.”
This will be UConn’s second appearance in the Hall of Fame Series, following a win over Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden last December. The Huskies are led by two-time National Champion Alex Karaban, who hails from Southborough, Mass. BYU, featuring Brockton, Mass., product and consensus No. 1 incoming recruit A.J. Dybansta, is also set to participate in the Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas event on Opening Night, November 3.
"We’re thrilled to welcome the Hall of Fame Series to TD Garden this November," said Glen Thornborough, President of TD Garden and COO of the Boston Bruins. "Hosting a high-profile college basketball matchup like UConn vs. BYU is a perfect fit for Boston, and with several homegrown talents in the spotlight, it’s sure to be a special night for our fans."
Further details regarding ticketing, game times, broadcast details, and media credentials for the event will be shared at a later date.
“Bringing the Hall of Fame Series to Boston for the first time is an exciting milestone, especially just down the road from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield,” said Melissa Meacham-Grossman, President of Position Sports. “UConn’s championship legacy and BYU’s emerging star power—highlighted by Massachusetts’ own A.J. Dybansta—set the stage for a memorable night at TD Garden, in a city where the game’s history runs deep, thanks to the tradition of the Boston Celtics and the legacy of their many Hall of Famers.”
The Hall of Fame Series, owned and operated by Position Sports, is a premier collection of multi-game, singular events that feature top collegiate basketball programs in high-profile non-conference matchups played both domestically and abroad. Past stops have included the following cities: Baltimore (2024), Charlotte (2023), Las Vegas (2023-24), New York (2024), Phoenix (2023-24), San Antonio (2023), and Toronto (2023).
For more Hall of Fame Series information and updates, please visit HOFSeries.com or follow @HOFSeries on all social platforms.
|
UConn vs. BYU History |
UConn (5) knocked off BYU (12) in the first round of the 2003 NCAA Tournament, 58-53, in Spokane, Wash.
Quotes from Head Coaches:
“The Hall of Fame Series has been great to us in the past so it was a no-brainer to jump at an opportunity to play an elite opponent in ‘Storrs North.’ We know it will be a quality event with a great crowd and a stiff test to see where we are as a team.”
Dan Hurley | UConn
“The Hall of Fame Series continues to deliver great non-conference matchups for men’s college basketball. The game against UConn in Boston is going to be a great test for our team and allow Cougar fans all over the East Coast to see us play in one of the premiere venues in the NBA.”
Kevin Young | BYU
About Position Sports
Position Sports, established in 2005, is a premium event production and brand marketing firm that specializes in event operations, activation development, media relations, and digital engagement. Over the years, Position Sports has worked with many of the world’s leading brands, including Nike, Jordan Brand, Red Bull, the Basketball Hall of Fame, ESPN Events, USA Basketball, Upper Deck, MLB, and T-Mobile in nearly every major U.S. city and on a global scale. Position Sports provides clients with the expanded strategic direction needed to succeed in the sports marketing arena, also known as Positioning. To learn more, visit positionsports.com or follow @positionsports on Twitter and Instagram.
About TD Garden
TD Garden, owned and operated by Delaware North, first opened its doors to the public on September 30, 1995. In the nearly 30 years since, the venue has generated more than $365 million in direct economic impact to the Greater Boston region from its major national events alone, not including its high-profile Bruins and Celtics tenants. The arena has played host to countless marquee events, including the Democratic National Convention, NHL All-Star Game, NCAA Frozen Fours, NCAA Women’s Final Four, U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials, U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and ISU World Figure Skating Championships among others.
About Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors—both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 475 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com and follow @hoophallU.