The Main Event Basketball Tourney to Benefit Coaches vs. Cancer

The Final Four-caliber tournament showcases rising talent while helping to battle cancer.

Basketball fans can now purchase tickets for the 2022 Las Vegas Main Event, a Final Four-caliber tournament. The four-team event will feature Baylor, Illinois, UCLA and Virginia with a combined total of 13 NCAA Championships, including the last two titles won by Virginia and Baylor, and 28 Final Four appearances. The tournament will benefit Coaches vs. Cancer, in partnership with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (nabc.com) and the American Cancer Society (cancer.org).

Launched in 2014, the Main Event has blossomed into one of the premier early-season tournaments for college basketball. Arizona won the Main Event last season, beating Michigan to secure a top-5 national ranking.

The upcoming tournament will thrill the fans with rising talent. In fact, 10 of the nation’s Top-100 players in ESPN’s player rankings for the Class of 2022 have already signed with the four participating schools. UCLA leads the pack with the addition of two Top 20 players in Amari Bailey (ranked No. 5) and Adem Bona (No. 16) as well as Dylan Andrews (ranked No. 44 in the class). The Bruins are expected to start next season among the nation’s top five.

Scott Drew’s Baylor squad continues to remain among the nation’s elite after spending much of this past season as the top-ranked team in the country and earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Bears will be boosted next season with the addition of Keyonte George, the No. 5-ranked prospect nationally as part of the Class of 2022.

“The Main Event in Vegas will again be one of the nation’s best college basketball tournaments. We are honored to be invited to participate in such a prestigious tournament,” said Drew in a press release. “It’s a great opportunity for college basketball fans to see some of college basketball’s premier programs, and we’re excited to see how our team matches up early in the season.”

Coach Brad Underwood has built Illinois into a national force, with the Illini earning a No. 1-seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament and a Big Ten regular season title this past year. The Fighting Illini received two late commitments recently adding Skyy Clark (No. 25-ranked incoming freshman) and Terrence Shannon, Jr. (a top transfer from Texas Tech).

“We are excited to play in Las Vegas next season,” said Underwood in a press release. “Las Vegas is the perfect setting for this event, and I know Illini Nation will be out there in full force to have a great time and support our program.”

Virginia coach Tony Bennett will be seeking to win his second national title with an incoming freshman class that includes three Top 100 players Isaac Traudt (No. 47), Isaac McKneely (No. 67) and Leon Bond (No. 70). The Cavaliers win total last season included victories over Providence, Duke and Miami (twice).

“We are excited to bring our team to the Main Event in Las Vegas,” said Bennett in a press release. “The highly competitive field will challenge us and provide quality experience during the non-conference season.”

First-round games will be played Nov. 18, with the consolation and championship games tipping Nov. 20. The event will also be nationally televised on ESPN networks.

Tickets for the two-day tournament can be purchased now by visiting tmobilearena.com or axs.com. Full event info can be found at vegasmainevent.com and on social media at @VegasMainEvent.