(coincidentally, I'll probably be there)
The Texas A&M men’s basketball team will face a loaded field at the ESPN Events Invitational, which will be contested over the 2023 Thanksgiving weekend at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.
Joining the Aggies in the strong field are Boise State, Butler, Florida Atlantic, Iowa State, Penn State, VCU and Virginia Tech. Six of the eight teams in the Orlando field were in the 2023 NCAA Tournament field (Texas A&M, Boise State, FAU, Iowa State, Penn State and VCU) and both the Aggies and FAU were in the final 2023 Associated Press poll. In the ESPN.com’s Way-Too-Early Top 25, the Owls were ranked No. 9 and the Aggies came in at No. 18.
“With six returning NCAA Tournament teams, the ESPN Events Invitational figures to be one of the strongest early-season tournaments in the country,” said Clint Overby, Vice President, ESPN Events. “We look forward to hosting all eight teams and their fans at Walt Disney World Resort this Thanksgiving.”
Twelve total games will be contested by the eight-team field at the State Farm Field House Thursday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Nov. 26. Each team competes in one game per day and the two teams that remain undefeated meet in a championship matchup on Sunday. The tournament draw will be announced later this summer.
Texas A&M is coming off a record-setting 2022-23 campaign that saw the Aggies earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament field for the first time since 2018. The Maroon & White posted a 25-10 overall record last season, including a school-record 15 wins in SEC play. The Aggies placed second in the SEC regular season race and advanced to the finals of the SEC Tournament for a second-straight season.
“For college basketball fans, there really is no better way to spend Thanksgiving weekend than watching your favorite teams at Walt Disney World Resort,” said Faron Kelley, Vice President of Disney Sports. “This is the 17th year we have hosted the ESPN Events Invitational and I have no doubt it will once again be an unforgettable experience for the fans, players and coaches. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex provides top-tier facilities that, when mixed with the magic of Walt Disney World, make this one of the most unique and rewarding tournaments in college basketball.”
"On behalf of Experience Kissimmee and the Kissimmee Sports Commission, we are delighted to be proud sponsors of the 2023 ESPN Events Invitational. We are pleased to welcome eight collegiate basketball teams to Osceola County for this annual competition, providing an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our off-season training facilities. We welcome the players, coaches, families and fans to take advantage of all the top-notch accommodations and attractions that Osceola County has to offer,” said Jessica Beers, Executive Director of the Kissimmee Sports Commission.
This will be the 17th year of the tournament, one of 10 college basketball events on the ESPN Events roster of 32 college athletic competitions. Oklahoma won the most recent ESPN Events Invitational in 2022. Previous winners include Dayton in 2021 and 2011, Maryland in 2019, Villanova in 2018, West Virginia in 2017, Gonzaga in 2016, 2012 and 2008, Xavier in 2015, Kansas in 2014, Memphis in 2013, Notre Dame in 2010, Florida State in 2009, N.C. State in 2008 and Arkansas in 2007.
The Texas A&M men’s basketball team will face a loaded field at the ESPN Events Invitational, which will be contested over the 2023 Thanksgiving weekend at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.
Joining the Aggies in the strong field are Boise State, Butler, Florida Atlantic, Iowa State, Penn State, VCU and Virginia Tech. Six of the eight teams in the Orlando field were in the 2023 NCAA Tournament field (Texas A&M, Boise State, FAU, Iowa State, Penn State and VCU) and both the Aggies and FAU were in the final 2023 Associated Press poll. In the ESPN.com’s Way-Too-Early Top 25, the Owls were ranked No. 9 and the Aggies came in at No. 18.
“With six returning NCAA Tournament teams, the ESPN Events Invitational figures to be one of the strongest early-season tournaments in the country,” said Clint Overby, Vice President, ESPN Events. “We look forward to hosting all eight teams and their fans at Walt Disney World Resort this Thanksgiving.”
Twelve total games will be contested by the eight-team field at the State Farm Field House Thursday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Nov. 26. Each team competes in one game per day and the two teams that remain undefeated meet in a championship matchup on Sunday. The tournament draw will be announced later this summer.
Texas A&M is coming off a record-setting 2022-23 campaign that saw the Aggies earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament field for the first time since 2018. The Maroon & White posted a 25-10 overall record last season, including a school-record 15 wins in SEC play. The Aggies placed second in the SEC regular season race and advanced to the finals of the SEC Tournament for a second-straight season.
“For college basketball fans, there really is no better way to spend Thanksgiving weekend than watching your favorite teams at Walt Disney World Resort,” said Faron Kelley, Vice President of Disney Sports. “This is the 17th year we have hosted the ESPN Events Invitational and I have no doubt it will once again be an unforgettable experience for the fans, players and coaches. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex provides top-tier facilities that, when mixed with the magic of Walt Disney World, make this one of the most unique and rewarding tournaments in college basketball.”
"On behalf of Experience Kissimmee and the Kissimmee Sports Commission, we are delighted to be proud sponsors of the 2023 ESPN Events Invitational. We are pleased to welcome eight collegiate basketball teams to Osceola County for this annual competition, providing an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our off-season training facilities. We welcome the players, coaches, families and fans to take advantage of all the top-notch accommodations and attractions that Osceola County has to offer,” said Jessica Beers, Executive Director of the Kissimmee Sports Commission.
This will be the 17th year of the tournament, one of 10 college basketball events on the ESPN Events roster of 32 college athletic competitions. Oklahoma won the most recent ESPN Events Invitational in 2022. Previous winners include Dayton in 2021 and 2011, Maryland in 2019, Villanova in 2018, West Virginia in 2017, Gonzaga in 2016, 2012 and 2008, Xavier in 2015, Kansas in 2014, Memphis in 2013, Notre Dame in 2010, Florida State in 2009, N.C. State in 2008 and Arkansas in 2007.
