Clash with Florida in Jimmy V Classic Set for Tigers

BRISTOL, Conn. - The Tigers are heading back to New York City in 2013. On Wednesday, ESPN announced the University of Memphis as one of four participants in the Dec. 17 Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. ESPN also announced the Classic's pairings and game times.

Memphis will meet Florida in the second game of the Classic's doubleheader with the contest to start at approximately 8 p.m. (CT). The Classic's first match-up has fellow American Athletic Conference member Cincinnati facing Pittsburgh at 6 p.m. (CT). ESPN will televise both contests of the 19th annual Jimmy V Classic, which started in 1995.

This season's Jimmy V appearance is the fourth for the Tigers and the second under head coach Josh Pastner. Memphis played Pittsburgh in 2004 (70-51 loss), Southern Cal in 2007 (62-58 overtime win) and Kansas in 2010 (81-68 loss).

Memphis will meet the Gators for only the second time in its history. The Tigers dropped an 84-83 decision to Florida in the Big Sun Tournament title game in St. Petersburg, Fla., in the 1976-77 campaign (Dec. 18, 1976).

The Tigers have a 104-77 overall record (.575 winning percentage) versus Southeastern Conference (SEC) members. Memphis has won 13 of its last 19 contests against SEC foes, including the last three (all three over in-state rival Tennessee).

Tickets for the Jimmy V Classic will go on sale at a later date this fall. Tickets prices range from $15-$250 and will be available for purchase at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone at (866) 858-0008 and online at www.ticketmaster.com andwww.thegarden.com.

The two early-season events - Jimmy V Men's and Women's Classics - showcase college basketball's top programs on ESPN and ESPN2 and conclude the seventh annual Jimmy V Week, a weeklong initiative across multiple ESPN platforms and programs featuring special content to help raise funds for cancer research. In six years, Jimmy V Week has generated $6,761,437 in total contributions for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, including a record-setting number of $1,591,108 in 2013.