HENDERSON (August 18, 2023) – In a marquee early-season college basketball event, The Dollar Loan Center in Henderson is proud to host seven teams across four days and four games as part of the Jack Jones Classic at The Dollar Loan Center.
The event will kick off with a game between New Mexico and Santa Clara on Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. local time. The Lobos, led by third-year coach Richard Pitino, improved by nine wins from 2021-22 and, at one point in the season, earned an AP Top 25 ranking for the first time since 2014. The Broncos finished third in the West Coast Conference a season ago and are coming off their second straight NIT appearance.
Following that game, Drake and Nevada will tip off at 4:30 p.m. local time. The Bulldogs are fresh off their second NCAA Tournament appearance in three years under Darian DeVries and added Patriot League Rookie of the Year and Army transfer Ethan Roberts to the fold this season. The Wolfpack will look to build on their first NCAA Tournament appearance in four years a season ago.
Capping off the first night will be a matchup between the UNLV Rebels and Loyola Marymount. UNLV was one of the most active programs in the country in the transfer portal this offseason, adding fifth-year seniors Jalen Hill, Kalib Boone, and Keylan Boone. Keylan Boone was one of the best shooters in the country last season, hitting at a 41 percent clip for the Pacific Tigers. Loyola Marymount will look to build on a very solid season a year ago, finishing 19-12 and 9-7 in the WCC.
The event will conclude on Dec. 13 with a high-profile tilt between UNLV and likely preseason Top 10-ranked Creighton.
The Creighton Bluejays, led by head coach Greg McDermott, enter the season off of their first Elite Eight appearance since 1941. The Bluejays return one of the most formidable cores in the country in Baylor Scheierman, Trey Alexander, and Ryan Kalkbrenner.
Tickets for the Jack Jones Classic will go on-sale Friday, August 25 at axs.com.
ABOUT THE DOLLAR LOAN CENTER
The Dollar Loan Center is an all-new multi-purpose venue in Henderson, NV, just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, featuring a 5,567 fixed seating capacity for hockey and indoor football. A product of a public-private partnership between the City of Henderson and a group of investors led by Bill Foley, The Dollar Loan Center opened in March 2022 and is operated by the Foley Entertainment Group. The Dollar Loan Center is the home of the American Hockey League’s Henderson Silver Knights, the Indoor Football League’s Vegas Knight Hawks, the Big West Basketball Championships, the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, the Craggy Range Sports Bar & Grill and The Saddlery team store. For the latest news and information on The Dollar Loan Center visit leesfamilyforum.com and follow the arena on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram.