NCAA Basketball: Previewing the 2017 Diamond Head Classic

The Diamond Head Classic is the only major in-season NCAA basketball tournament played during Christmas break. What should you watch for?

The Diamond Head Classic is one of my favorite in-season tournaments because it is the only tournament that is played around Christmas, which adds some variety. Even when the field is weak, it provides competitive games in what is usually the calm before the conference play storm. This season, the field is much stronger than it has been in past seasons, which means all eyes should be on this event.

San Diego State won the 2016 Diamond Head Classic over a surprise San Francisco squad. The Dons upset the favorite, Illinois State Red Birds, in the semifinals. This is notable because, looking back, that loss may have cost Illinois State an at-large bid to the Big Dance.

The 2017 field is much stronger than the 2016 field, though. Not a single team in last year’s field made the NCAA Tournament. Illinois State was close and Utah made the NIT with now NBA standout Kyle Kuzma, but overall the team talent level was uninspiring. This season, two teams in the Diamond Head Classic (Miami and USC) are definitely NCAA Tournament-caliber squads and the rest are quality mid-major programs who could easily win their leagues.

Here is a breakdown of the Diamond Head Classic, played in Honolulu, Hawaii. All games are on the ESPN family of networks starting on Dec. 22 and concluding on Christmas day. The championship game is on Dec. 25 at 6:00 PM ET on ESPN2.