USD announced on Friday that it will participate in the GCI Great Alaska Shootout next season, for the second time in school history, during Nov. 24-28 in Anchorage, Alaska.
The GCI Great Alaska Shootout is celebrating its 38th anniversary, making it the longest running in-season tournament in college basketball.
Last season it took 27 games before the Toreros traveled out of California, traveling out of the state four times all season—including the West Coast Conference in Las Vegas.
Newly hired head coach Lamont Smith is happy that his players will get the chance to travel to a place like Alaska.
“A lot of kids never have the opportunity to go to Alaska,” Smith said to U-T San Diego. “This affords them the opportunity to see another part of the United States, which is outstanding.”
The Toreros placed as the runner-up last time they participated in the tournament in 2007, losing to Washington St. in the championship game.
Other teams participating in the tournament include UNC Asheville, Middle Tennessee, Drexel, Toledo, San Jose St., Loyola of Ill. and host Alaska Anchorage.
