Field Set For the Sun Bowl Basketball Tournament

Tournament Returns After A One-Year Hiatus

EL PASO, Texas (August 20, 2009) - Two new faces and one old foe will head to El Paso in December for the 48th-edition of the Sun Bowl Basketball Tournament. The nation's oldest, collegiate holiday basketball tournament returns after one-year hiatus, and is set for Dec. 28-29 at the Don Haskins Center. Niagara University (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) Norfolk State University (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) the United State Air Force Academy (Mountain West Conference) join host UTEP to comprise this year's field.

"The Sun Bowl Association is thrilled to bring back nearly five decades of tradition and memories," said SBA executive director Bernie Olivas. "For 47 years, this tournament has been a mainstay of the holiday season for El Paso."

UTEP will be making its 48th consecutive appearance in the event, while this year will mark the first appearance by Niagara and Norfolk State. Air Force will be participating in the storied tournament for the second occasion.

The highlight of the tournament could be a showdown in the finals with historical implications, as a match-up between UTEP and Air Force would mark the 40th meeting all time between the former Western Athletic Conference rivals. The Miners own a commanding 34-5 edge in the all-time series, but the two squads haven't faced each other since the 2002 edition of the tournament.

Air Force is 1-0 against Niagara and 2-0 vs. Norfolk State, making it the lone school in the field to have played every potential opponent.

"After the one year hiatus, we have heard from a lot fans how much they missed not having the tournament and were very excited to hear that we are bringing back a Sun Bowl institution," said Barry Kobren, tournament selection chairman. "We are thrilled with the quality of the field this year, bringing back and old WAC rival in Air Force, a top 50 team in the country in Niagara and up and coming team like Norfolk State."

Heading into this year, 89 teams have participated in the tournament which has produced 18 different tournament champions. The homestanding Miners have claimed 27 crowns, including a 79-73 defeat of Wyoming in the 2007 title game.  Over the history of the Sun Bowl Basketball Tournament, 69 teams have gone on to post-season play in the same season that they participated in the tournament.

The Sun Bowl Basketball Tournament has featured some of the game's top coaches over the years - Gene Bartow, Bobby Cremins, Don Haskins, Lon Kruger, Gene Keady, Bobby Knight, Mike Krzyzewski, Guy Lewis, Phil Martelli, Rollie Massimino, Jim O'Brien, Lute Olson, Wimp Sanderson, Charlie Spoonhauer, John Thompson III, Gary Waters and Tex Winter.

It has also featured some of the nation's top collegiate players - Nate Archibald (UTEP), Earl Boykins (Eastern Michigan), Dana Barros (Boston College), Adrian Caldwell (Lamar), Antonio Davis (UTEP), JoJo English (South Carolina), Mike Evans (Kansas State), Brandon Ewing (Wyoming), Jim Farmer (Alabama), Greg Foster (UTEP), Walt Frazier (Southern Illinois), Jeff Green (Georgetown), Tim Hardaway (UTEP), Roy Hibbert (Georgetown), Stefon Jackson (UTEP), Tim McCormick (Michigan), Chuck Person (Auburn), Glenn Robinson (Purdue), Brandon Wolfram (UTEP) and Sharone Wright (Clemson).

The Niagara University Purple Eagles (26-9, 14-4) are coached by 11th-year head coach Joe Mihalich, who led the squad to its best record since 1922. The Purple Eagles, who finished 49th in the final Ratings Performance Index (RPI) last season, return four of five starters.  Niagara finished second in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and advanced to the finals of the conference tournament. The Purple Eagles have appeared in the postseason in four of the last five years, making NCAA Tournament appearances in 2005 and 2007 and played in the NIT in 2004 and 2008. Niagara returns four of its top five scorers from last year, led by 5-11 senior guard Tyrone Lewis (16.2 points per game).

The United State Air Force Academy Falcons (10-21, 0-16) are led by fourth-year head coach Jeff Reynolds and have appeared in the post season in two of the last four years.   Air Force hopes to rebound from a disappointing season and return to the form that saw the Falcons become one of the winningest teams in the Mountain West Conference this decade.   Previous to last season, Air Force had strung together 5 consecutive winning seasons and was ranked as high as No. 14 in the country in 2007.  Air Force last appeared in the Sun Bowl Tournament in 2002.

The Norfolk State University Spartans (13-18, 9-7) are coached by third-year head coach Anthony Evans, who paced the squad to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament finals last season. The Spartans, who struggled to a 1-10 start last season, closed out the year with a 12-8 mark and a third place finish in the MEAC. Norfolk State's up-tempo offense is paced by 6-0 junior guard Michael Deloach, who averaged 21.5 points per game last season. Joining Deloach in the backcourt is 6-0 junior guard Aleek Pauline, who chipped in 6.5 points and 3.8 assists last season.

The UTEP Miners (23-14, 10-6) are led by fourth-year head coach Tony Barbee, who led the Miners to the College Basketball Invitational Finals last season. The Miners return three starters and seven letterwinners from last season after a fourth place finish in Conference USA. The trio of returning starters are junior guards Randy Culpepper (17.5 ppg), Julyan Stone (5.6 ppg and 6.4 apg) and sophomore forward Arnett Moultrie (8.8 ppg and 8.2 rpg). UTEP has reached the postseason in four of the last six years.

Beginning Dec. 1, tournament tickets will be available at the Sun Bowl Association office at (915-533-4416 or 800-915-BOWL), the UTEP Ticket Center (915-747-5234) and TicketMaster outlets. Tournament tickets can be reserved now by calling the Sun Bowl Association office. Tournament tickets are also included in UTEP season ticket packages.

Ticket prices are as follows:   Four-Game, Two-Night Package:

                                             $40 (rows 1-34) and $20 (rows 35-39);

                                             * $20 UTEP students, plus one guest

                                             Two-Game, One-Night Package (Day of Game Only):

                                             $22 (rows 1-34) and $12 (rows 35-39),

                                             * $12 UTEP students, plus one guest

                                             * - Must purchase at the UTEP Ticket Center Only