2026 Men's Tournament
Dates: November 20-23, 2026
The men's tournament consists of an eight-team bracket, with each team guaranteed to play three games. The 2026 participating teams are East Carolina, Indiana State, Middle Tennessee, Southern Illinois, Stephen F. Austin, Temple, UT Martin, and Utah Valley.
Why Paradise Jam?
Comparable to three true road games - competitively and financially: From both a résumé and budget standpoint, participation closely mirrors playing multiple away games (neutral-site setting, unfamiliar environment, quality opponents) with overall costs comparable to a three-game road swing, but in one location
NET-focused design: Neutral-site matchups against like-profile programs support early NET positioning.
Competitive balance: Peer-to-peer field construction - no buy-game dynamics. Mid and high mid-major competitive field.
Operational simplicity: Experienced operators, clear timelines, and streamlined travel/logistics for teams and staff.
Program credibility: A long-standing NCAA event with consistent excellent execution. Celebrating 27 years.
High visibility: All three games broadcast on ESPN+ and accessible to fans, boosters, family and friends.
Desirable location: easy to get to, sunny and 85F in November.
Event Overview
Location: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
University of the Virgin Islands — Elridge Wilburn Blake Sports & Fitness Center
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Game Dates: November 19-22, 2027
Format: Tournament Style
Eight Men’s NCAA Division I teams
Guaranteed three games per team
Bracket competition leading to championship placement
What’s Included
✔ Team accommodations at the Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef
✔ Guaranteed three games per team
✔ Ground transportation
✔ All games broadcasted on ESPN+
✔ Event day logistics & on-site tournament staff
✔ Fan and donor engagement opportunities
(Specific inclusions will be confirmed with each team upon registration)
Showcase your program in one of college basketball’s most iconic early-season tournaments in 2027!
2025 GAME NOTES
-
![Basketball player wearing jersey number 10 jumps to dunk the ball into the hoop during a game, with multiple players on the court and a colorful background.]()
Yale 73, Green Bay 67
Yale (4-1) placed four players in double figures, led by a 13-point, five-rebound, four-assist effort by Nick Townsend, as the Bulldogs opened the 2025 Paradise Jam with a 73-67 win over Green Bay (1-5) on Friday.
-
![Two basketball players compete for the ball during a game. One player in a white Charleston jersey and another in a black jersey with white and maroon accents. The player in white is reaching for the ball while the player in black is trying to block or steal it. Spectators are visible seated on wooden bleachers in the background.]()
Charleston 69, UMass 65
Charleston (3-3) took advantage of a balanced scoring attack in a thrilling 69-65 win over UMass (3-2) on Friday on day one of the 2025 Paradise Jam.
-
![A basketball player in a yellow and white uniform jumps for a shot while being guarded by an opponent in a maroon and yellow uniform in an indoor gym.]()
Akron 96, Iona 75
Five Akron Zips reached double figures in scoring, led by a 20-point effort by Eric Mahaffey, as Akron (4-1) rolled to a 96-75 win over Iona (4-1) on Friday on the opening day of the 2025 Paradise Jam.
-
![A young male basketball player wearing a navy and red jersey with the number 6 and the word 'Evansville' on it, dribbling a basketball on an indoor court, with a crowd watching in the background.]()
Evansville 73, Oregon State 69
Joshua Hughes turned in a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double, leading the way for the Evansville Purple Aces (3-3) in a 73-69 win over Oregon State (3-2) on Friday in the final game of the opening day of the 2025 Paradise Jam.
-
Green Bay 79, UMass 75
Justin Allen turned in a 27-point night, going 12-of-12 from the charity stripe, while C.J. O’Hara added 21 points and four boards as Green Bay (2-5) held off a second-half charge by UMass (3-3), downing the Minutemen 79-75 on day two of the Paradise Jam.
-
![A basketball player wearing a maroon and yellow uniform holding an orange Nike Elite basketball stands on a court, with spectators sitting behind him.]()
Iona 91, Oregon State 84 [2OT]
A game-tying 3-pointer with one second in regulation by Luke Jungers capped a furious rally that saw Iona (5-1) rally from a 19-point second-half deficit to close day two of the Paradise Jam with a 91-84 double-overtime win over Oregon State (3-3) on Saturday.
-
![]()
Yale 74, Charleston 63
Nick Townsend poured in a career-high 32 points and added nine rebounds to pace the Yale Bulldogs (5-1) in a 74-63 win over Charleston (3-4) on Sunday at the 2025 Paradise Jam.
-
![A basketball player wearing a navy jersey with the name Johnson and the number 5 jumps to shoot the ball while an opponent in a white jersey attempts to block.]()
Akron 97, Evansville 59
Tavari Johnson and Amani Lyles both scored a game-high 19 points, leading the way in a dominant offensive effort for the Akron Zips (5-1) in a 97-59 win over Evansville (3-4) on Sunday at the 2025 Paradise Jam.
-
![Three basketball players from Massachusetts team wearing black jerseys, one with number 44, standing in a row during a game, in an indoor court with colorful background.]()
UMass 73, Oregon State 65
Daniel Hankins-Sanford turned in a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Marcus Banks added 14 points to lead the UMass Minutemen (4-3) in a 73-65 win over Oregon State (3-4) in the seventh-place game at the 2025 Paradise Jam.
-
![Two basketball players are battling for a rebound on the court during a game, with the player in black trying to get the ball while the player in white and maroon is contesting the shot. The crowd watches attentively in the background.]()
Green Bay 80, Iona 75
Justin Allen turned in a 28-point performance, leading a cast of four Green Bay players to reach double figures as the Phoenix (3-5) captured fifth place in the 2025 Paradise Jam with an 80-75 win over Iona on Monday.
-
![Two basketball players are fighting for a rebound during a game. One player is wearing a white uniform with purple accents, and the other player is wearing a black uniform with orange trim. Spectators and officials are visible in the background.]()
Charleston 78, Evansville 59
Martin Kalu turned in a game-high 21points and grabbed seven rebounds, Connor Hickman added 16 points and a game-high eight boards, and Chol Machot scored 14 points with seven rebounds to lead the way as Charleston (4-4) turned in a third place finish at the 2025 Paradise Jam with a 78-59 win over Evansville (3-4) on Monday.
-
![A group of young male basketball players in navy jerseys and white caps celebrating their championship victory, holding a trophy together.]()
Yale 97, Akron 94
Isaac Celiscar poured in a team-high 23 points, while Nick Townsend added a 21-point, 10-assist, six-rebound performance, as the Yale Bulldogs (6-1) captured the 2025 Paradise Jam championship with a 97-94 win over Akron (5-2) on Monday.
