University of North Texas Athletics
UNT To Play In 2021 ESPN Events Invitational
5/20/2021 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The eight-team field also includes Alabama, Belmont, Dayton, Drake, Iona, Kansas and Miami (Fla.).
The tournament has a new name and logo for its 14th-year. It was formerly known as the Orlando Invitational in 2019-20.Â
UNT is coming off a historic season in 2020-21 where the Mean Green won their first C-USA Tournament championship and earned their fourth bid to the NCAA Tournament. At The Big Dance, North Texas earned its highest ever seeding as a No. 13 and in the first round they upset fourth-seeded Purdue 78-69 (ot) for the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. UNT returns six student-athletes from its championship team last season and two starters in Thomas Bell and Mardrez McBride.Â
This is North Texas' first time playing in this multi-team event.Â
Field Highlights
· Five of the eight teams in the field reached the 2021 NCAA Tournament: Alabama (Sweet 16), Kansas and North Texas (second round), as well as Drake and Iona
· Dayton played in the 2021 National Invitation Tournament
· Three of the eight teams are ranked in the ESPN.com's "Way Too Early Top 25." No. 5 Kansas, No. 8 Alabama and No. 23 Belmont
· Kansas returns to the ESPN Events Invitational for the first time since winning the tournament in 2014. Dayton will be making its third appearance (2011, 2015) while Iona (2009) and Miami (2016) return for the second time
Maryland won the most recent invitational in 2019. Previous winners include Villanova in 2018, West Virginia in 2017, Gonzaga in 2016, 2012 and 2008, Xavier in 2015, Kansas in 2014, Memphis in 2013, Dayton in 2011, Notre Dame in 2010, Florida State in 2009, NC State in 2007 and Arkansas in 2006.
Additional information, including travel packages, can be found on the ESPN Events Invitational web site.
