Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition

Hoophall Miami Invitation­al

- Brett Shweky

What: Fourth annual college basketball showcase Where: AmericanAi­rlines Arena, Miami When: Saturday, 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m. St. John's vs. Georgia Tech (ESPNU): The undefeated St. John's Red Storm (6-0) will take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-2) in the opening game. Led by guards Shamorie Ponds and LG Figueroa, St. John's has managed to average 83.0 points while limiting their opposition to 71.5 points. Georgia Tech averages 69.7 points and will attempt to rebound from a 67-61 loss to Northweste­rn in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Guard Jose Alvarado is Georgia Tech's leading scorer, averaging 13.7 points and 3.5 assists. No. 20 Texas Tech vs. Memphis (ESPNU): The Tigers (3-3) will look to upset the undefeated No. 20 Red Raiders. The Red Raiders (6-0) have been one of the most successful teams in the nation defensivel­y, allowing only 51.0 points per game this season. Guard Jarrett Culver has been the catalyst for Texas Tech, leading the team in scoring (18.8) and assists (4.3). Memphis will lean on forward Kyvon Davenport and guard Jeremiah Martin. In Penny Hardaway's first six games as coach, the Tigers have struggled defensivel­y, allowing their opposition to average 78.8 points. North Carolina State vs. Vanderbilt (ESPN2): The Wolfpack (6-1) nearly pulled an upset in their previous game against No. 22 Wisconsin 79-75. Senior guard Torin Dorn has been stellar all-around for the Wolfpack as he leads the team in scoring (17.6), rebounds (7.7) and steals (2.0). Vanderbilt (5-1) is trying to overcome the loss of freshman point guard Darius Garland, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in their lone loss against Kent State. Freshman Aaron Nesmith filled the shoes of Garland in the team's most recent game against Savannah State, finishing with a career-high 20 points and 13 rebounds. Miami vs. Yale (ESPN3): The closing match of the invitation­al with feature the Hurricanes (5-2), who have dropped their past two games against Seton Hall (83-81) and Rutgers (57-54). Five-foot-seven guard Chris Lykes will be at the forefront of Miami's offense, since he is averaging 17.7 points. The Bulldogs (2-2) are fresh off a 103-61 victory against Bryant on Wednesday. Forward Jordan Bruner is a workhorse for Yale, with the junior leading the squad in both rebounds (6.3) and assists (3.5), and he’s second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.5 points. Tickets: Starting at $25. Visit aaarena.com.

 ?? CHRIS TROTMAN/GETTY ?? Bruce Brown Jr. of the Miami Hurricanes controls the ball against the Princeton Tigers during the 2017 HoopHall Miami Invitation­al at American Airlines Arena.
CHRIS TROTMAN/GETTY Bruce Brown Jr. of the Miami Hurricanes controls the ball against the Princeton Tigers during the 2017 HoopHall Miami Invitation­al at American Airlines Arena.

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