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NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 2019 Diamond Head Classic squads

By Andrew Dieckhoff

HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 10: Dejon Jarreau #13 of the Houston Cougars talks with head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars in the final seconds of the game at Fertitta Center on February 10, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 10: Dejon Jarreau #13 of the Houston Cougars talks with head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars in the final seconds of the game at Fertitta Center on February 10, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 24: Head coach Hopkins of the Washington Huskies reacts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 24: Head coach Hopkins of the Washington Huskies reacts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The Diamond Head Classic will be a chance for some NCAA basketball teams to grab some Christmas gifts that could pay dividends in March.

The Diamond Head Classic will take center stage in Hawaii over the winter holiday, with the final round scheduled for Christmas Day. The 2019 iteration features eight teams who will be vying for that most-coveted present: the Diamond Head Classic trophy.

The field, which was determined late last year, consists of Ball State, Boise State, Georgia Tech, Hawaii, Houston, Portland, UTEP, and Washington. The Huskies and Cougars definitely had the best seasons in 2018-19, with both teams making the NCAA Tournament. But does that guarantee that they will be the top teams on the Big Island this year?

Before we get into ranking this year’s field, let’s take a short trip down memory lane. The 2018 Diamond Head Classic was not nearly as loaded with talent as this year, but it did provide some quality games. There were some interesting upsets, including Bucknell taking out Rhode Island in the first round. Indiana State made a surprise run all the way to the final game, knocking off a slow-starting Colorado squad and a talented UNLV team in its first two games. But the Sycamores were bested by Jamie Dixon and TCU in the finals.

It’s worth questioning if Indiana State’s run actually ended up costing TCU a ticket to the Big Dance. Think about it: if the Horned Frogs beat Colorado in the finals instead, that would have given them an extra Q2 win for their resume come Selection Sunday. As it was, TCU was one of the first teams out.

And that’s the heart of what’s at stake here in the Diamond Head Classic: an early chance to grab some important resume-builders for March. So without further delay, let’s take a look at how the teams in this solid field of eight stack up against one another heading into the season.

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