Paradise Jam Bracket (PDF)

BRONX, N.Y. – The Fordham men's basketball team will once again embark on an early-season trip to paradise, taking part in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam from Nov. 17-20 in St. Thomas.
 
The Rams will play in the tournament's opening game against Norfolk State, tipping off inside the University of Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center on Nov. 17 at 2 p.m.  The Spartans are also coming off a 20-win campaign in 2022-23, claiming 22 victories before falling to Howard by just one point in the MEAC title game.
 
The winner of that contest will advance to the semifinals against either San Jose State or Abilene Christian on Nov. 19 while the loser will begin consolation bracket play on Nov. 18.
 
The championship game is set for Nov. 20.
 
The other half of the bracket features reigning MAC Champion Kent State, Florida Gulf Coast, Missouri State and Hampton.
 
Six of the eight teams participating in the Paradise Jam finished with a winning record in 2022-23.  Half of the field, including Fordham, won 20 or more games.
 
Fordham will participate in the Paradise Jam for the third time, having also taken part in the tournament in 2005 and 2019.  The 2023 opener will mark the second time that Norfolk State and Fordham will meet in St. Thomas, as the Rams defeated the Spartans in their 2005 finale.
 
Fan travel packages will be available for purchase at a later date.  For more information, visit ParadiseJam.com and follow the tournament on its official social media channels.
 
All contests of the 2023 Paradise Jam will be broadcast or streamed on the ESPN family of networks.
 
The Rams are coming off their best season in more than three decades after finishing the 2022-23 campaign with a record of 25-8, the program's highest win total since 1990-91.  Under the direction of 2023 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year Keith Urgo, the Rams went 12-6 in conference, setting high-water marks for both victories (12) and winning percentage (.667) in league play.  Fordham is set to welcome back eight of its top 11 scorers from last year's squad.