WKU Hilltopper Basketball will open play in November’s Myrtle Beach Invitational with its first-ever matchup against Valparaiso, the tournament announced Wednesday.
The Hilltoppers are set to face Valpo at 4 p.m. CT Nov. 15 at the HTC Center on the campus of Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
The two programs have never met. Valparaiso finished 15-17 a year ago.
Teams will play three games in the inaugural event on November 15, 16 and 18. WKU and Valparaiso will be joined in the eight-team tournament by West Virginia, Wake Forest, UCF, Saint Joseph’s, Cal State Fullerton and Monmouth.
WKU will face either West Virginia or Monmouth in its second game. Other first-round matchups include Wake Forest-Saint Joseph’s and UCF-Cal State Fullerton.
All games will air on ESPN Networks.
The Hilltoppers went 27-11 in 2017-18, their most wins in 10 seasons, while advancing to the semifinals of the NIT for the first time since 1954. WKU finished the season 4-2 against Power 5 conference teams and was one of four teams in the nation – including the only non-Power 5 – to register wins over opponents from each of the ACC, SEC, Pac-12 and Big Ten conferences.
WKU found plenty of success in its early-season tournament trip last year, upsetting top-25 Purdue, beating SMU on a last-second shot and going toe-to-toe with eventual national champion Villanova at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas.
Fans can purchase hotel rooms now through Anthony Travel by calling 888-632-6951 or by going to https://goto.ps/2LctYxm.
Only fans purchasing travel packages will have the chance to purchase tickets for the tournament during this pre-sale opportunity, which includes only all-session tickets. The fee for the all-session ticket is $130 including tax and fees.
All seating with be general admission.
All-session tickets will go on sale to the public outside of travel packages in August, while single-session tickets won’t be sold until November, if available.