NICEVILLE, FLA. — For the sixth consecutive year, CBS Sports Network will televise the Emerald Coast Classic basketball tournament this fall.
The semifinal round games on Nov. 26 will feature LSU playing Penn State at 6 p.m. Central Time, followed by Oregon State facing Wake Forest at 8:30 p.m. Central Time.
The championship game on Nov. 27 will tip off at 6 p.m. Central Time at The Arena at Northwest Florida State College with the third-place game set for 3 p.m. CBS Sports Network will televise both the semifinal round games as well as the championship.
Tickets will be available to purchase for the tournament online later this summer at www.emeraldcoastclassic.com.
“With this field representing some of the top basketball programs in the country, the Emerald Coast Classic will be one of the premier preseason college basketball tournaments,” said tournament director Maury Hanks. “We are thrilled by CBS Sports Network for its continuing coverage of the tournament.”
LSU, under the guidance of head coach Will Wade, enjoyed a top 10 incoming recruiting class after competing in the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year.
“We are looking forward to participating in this year’s Emerald Coast Classic Thanksgiving weekend, “Wade said. “There are three other outstanding teams on our side of the bracket that we look forward to playing and I’m sure LSU fans, who already love the Destin area, will enjoy watching some very exciting college basketball there come this November.”
Wayne Tinkle has guided teams to five NCAA Tournament appearances during his 16 years as a collegiate head coach including leading Oregon State to the Elite Eight of the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
“We’re really excited with our opportunity to play in the Emerald Coast Classic, one of the premier preseason tournaments in the country,” added Tinkle. “The tourney field is loaded with top level teams year in and year out, and we hear the hospitality is unmatched!”
It will be a homecoming of sorts for second-year Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes, who served as head coach at Northwest Florida State College from 2011-13, guiding the Raiders to a 62-6 record.
“The Emerald Coast Classic is one of the top men’s tournaments in all of college basketball,” said Forbes. “Maury Hanks (tournament director) does an unbelievable job running a first class event.
“Northwest Florida State is a very special place to me and my family. I can’t think of a better place to spend Thanksgiving with our team and our fans than Niceville and Destin while playing in such a prestigious event.”
First-year coach Micah Shrewsberry welcomed the opportunity to have Penn State play in the tournament as well.
“We’re excited to be a part of this year’s Emerald Coast Classic and know that the strong field of teams will be great non-conference tests for our team,” said Shrewsberry. “The tournament will give us the opportunity to compete against some of the top teams in the country and I know our group will be looking forward to bringing their best down to the Emerald Coast.”
CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, is widely available through all major cable, satellite and telco distributors as well as via OTT streaming service providers YouTube TV, fuboTV, DirecTV and Hulu. Additionally, a live CBS Sports Network stream is available through CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App by authenticating with select providers. For more information, including a full programming schedule, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com
