Virginia will play in Fort Myers Tip-Off event next November

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia’s men’s basketball team, fresh off a tournament championship in Las Vegas, will compete next season in the four-team 2023 Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off.

UVA, SMU, Wisconsin and West Virginia will compete in the early-season event, scheduled for Nov. 20-22. The tournament will be played at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers. Matchups, game times and television will be announced later.

According to tournament organizers, the only way to guarantee tickets for the event is by purchasing an official fan travel package, which will go on sale in early 2023. Fans can register now to receive information and email alerts from the tournament regarding travel package details at: www.fortmyerstipoff.com/travel. 

“The four teams taking part in the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off are historically strong programs that reinforce the premier status of this event in the eyes of the college basketball community,” said Mark Starsiak, tournament director. “Between national championship contenders, recent Final Four participants, coaching veterans and passionate fan bases, these teams will create a very special environment. We can’t wait to host these programs in Lee County and Southwest Florida.”

Virginia vaulted to No. 5 in the national AP poll after defeating Baylor and Illinois in the Continental Tire Main Event in Las Vegas last weekend. It was Virginia’s eighth November tournament championship in the last nine seasons.