NCAA Basketball: 2019 Paradise Jam preview and predictions

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Jarron Cumberland #34 of the Cincinnati Bearcats reacts during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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SYRACUSE, NY – MARCH 27: Head coach Bob Huggins (R) of the West Virginia Mountaineers gets set to address the crowd as his playes celebrate with the East Regional trophy (held by Da’Sean Butler #1) after West Virginia won 73-66 against the Kentucky Wildcats during the east regional final of the 2010 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Carrier Dome on March 27, 2010 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The 2019 Paradise Jam looks to be an impressive event based on the NCAA Basketball teams involved. Who will win the event this time around?

The Paradise Jam is one of the premier early-season NCAA Basketball tournaments that take place in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This tournament consists of high and mid-major teams who are able capable of hoisting the trophy. The tournament starts November 22nd and looks to be one of the best non-conference tournaments. They have a lot of good potential to make this one of the premier tournaments for the 2019-2020 college hoops season.

The Virgin Islands is a great place to visit and now we get to see college hoops being played there. The Paradise Jam has been in place since 2000 in the women’s division and started in 2001 for the men’s division and has had a different champion each year. The history of the tournament is rich and looks to continue to grow year by year.

The Paradise Jam was founded by Basketball Travelers. The tournament is hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands. Some MVP names that sound familiar are Alonzo Gee (2006 – Alabama), Hasheem Thabeet (2008 – UCONN), Darius Johnson-Odom (MARQ), and Sindarius Thornwell (2015 – South Carolina). Here is the list of winners and the Tournament MVPs in order they won:

2001 – Miami (John Salmons)
2002 – BYU (Marques Green)
2003 – Boston College (Craig Smith)
2004 – Arkansas (Ronnie Brewer)
2005 – Wisconsin (Alando Tucker)
2006 – Alabama (Alonzo Gee)
2007 – Baylor (Curtis Jerrells)
2008 – UCONN (Hasheem Thabeet)
2009 – Purdue (E-Twaun Moore)
2010 – Old Dominion (Ben Finney)
2011 – Marquette (Darius Johnson-Odom)
2012 – New Mexico (Kendall Williams)
2013 – Maryland (Dez Wells)
2014 – Seton Hall (Sterling Gibbs)
2015 – South Carolina (Sindarius Thornwell)
2016 – Creighton (Marcus Foster)
2017 – Colorado (McKinley Wright)
2018 – Kansas State (Dean Wade)

Here is a preview of the eight particpant teams:

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