LAS VEGAS, Nev. (October 12, 2023) – Basketball fans are in for an early Christmas present as two powerhouse college basketball teams, The University of Arizona and Florida Atlantic University, face off in a highly anticipated marquee neutral site game two days before Christmas Day. The Desert Classic will take place Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023 at noon PT at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The game will be broadcast live on FOX, ensuring fans across the nation can view the showdown.
The University of Arizona Wildcats, known for their rich basketball tradition and storied program, will bring a roster stacked with talented players to the court. Led by Head Coach Tommy Lloyd, the Wildcats are poised to deliver an electrifying performance that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
“I’m excited to play Coach May and Florida Atlantic coming off of their great run to the Final Four last year. They return almost all of their top guys from a season ago so we are looking forward to the challenges they will present. And to be able to play them in a nationally televised game right before Christmas in Las Vegas is a great opportunity for us and our fans,” Coach Lloyd said while discussing the game against Florida Atlantic.
On the other side of the court, the Florida Atlantic University Owls, under the direction of Head Coach Dusty May, will showcase their tenacity and determination. Fresh off their Final Four run in 2022, the Owls return their entire starting line-up, including 14 of 15 players from last year’s team. With a roster filled with rising stars, they are poised to make another deep run this year.
When asked about playing Arizona, Coach May said, “We couldn’t be more excited to bring our team to Las Vegas to compete against Arizona, one of the premier programs in all of college basketball. This is a great test for our team as we prepare for the move to the American Conference.”
T-Mobile Arena, renowned for hosting high-profile sporting events, will provide the perfect location for this marquee match-up. Located on the iconic Las Vegas Strip, the state-of-the-art arena offers an unparalleled fan experience, ensuring attendees will be treated to an unforgettable college basketball game.
Align representatives Mark Jurich and Craig Dilger added, “Align Sports is thrilled to be a part of this marquee neutral site game between The University of Arizona and Florida Atlantic University. Both teams have a rich basketball tradition as well as a passionate fan base and we are confident this game will deliver an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.”
Tickets for this highly anticipated game will be available for purchase beginning Friday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. PT on AXS.com. AXS customers will receive access to a pre-sale running Thursday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. PT to 10 p.m. PT. Fans are encouraged to secure their seats early as demand will be high. For more information about the game, including ticketing details and updates, please visit TMobileArena.com. Stay tuned for further announcements regarding this exciting matchup.
