NASSAU, The Bahamas – High-caliber men’s college basketball returns to the amazing Baha Mar resort this Thanksgiving holiday season when preseason Top-10 squads Purdue and Texas Tech join Memphis and Wake Forest to compete in the Baha Mar Championship, Nov. 20-21, at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts & Entertainment Center. Veteran promoter bdG Sports announced the four-team field Wednesday.
CBS Sports Network will televise all four contests of the event beginning Thursday, Nov. 20 with Purdue taking on Memphis at 6 p.m. ET followed by Texas Tech battling Wake Forest at 8:30 p.m. The consolation game on Friday, Nov. 21 begins at 7 p.m., followed by the championship game at 9:30 p.m.
Purdue, the preseason fourth-ranked team in the country per CBSSports.com, has proven itself as one of the sport’s winningest teams over the past decade. The Boilermakers welcome back reigning Big Ten Player of the Year and consensus All-American guard Braden Smith, along with First Team All-Big Ten selection forward Trey Kaufman-Renn and sharp-shooting guard Fletcher Loyer. Head Coach Matt Painter’s team was runner up in the 2024 national title game. Last season, Purdue posted a 24-12 record overall, advancing to its sixth Sweet 16 in the past eight years before losing a 62-60 heartbreaker to eventual national runner-up Houston.
“We are thrilled to be heading to the Bahamas this November for the Baha Mar Championship,” Painter said. “Memphis, Texas Tech and Wake Forest are all outstanding programs led by outstanding coaches who have had success at their respective institutions. I know our fans are excited to head to the Baha Mar resort and our team is looking forward to the challenge.”
Texas Tech, ranked No. 7 in the preseason by CBSSports.com, is coming off a stellar 2024-25 campaign, highlighted by an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, a 28-9 overall mark and second-place finish in the Big 12 Conference. Head Coach Grant McCasland and Red Raider fans are excited about the return of star forward JT Toppin, the Big 12 Player of the Year and probable preseason All-American. Guard Christian Anderson is back as well after earning All-Big 12 Freshman Team accolades. Forward Le Juan Watts (Washington State) and guard Donovan Atwell (UNCG) were key additions from the transfer portal in the offseason.
“We’re excited about being in the Bahamas and competing in the Baha Mar tournament against a really strong field,” McCasland said.
Memphis is coming off its best season under eighth-year head coach Penny Hardaway. The Tigers dominated the American Athletic Conference, sweeping both the regular-season and tournament crowns, earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and finished with a 29-6 overall record in 2024-25. With zero players returning from a year ago, Hardaway responded in the offseason with a major portal haul, landing 10 transfers. Leading the charge are standout guards Dug McDaniel (Kansas State), Zachary Davis (South Carolina), sharpshooter Sincere Parker (McNeese State), along with floor general Curtis Givens III (LSU) and dynamic big man Aaron Bradshaw (Ohio State).
“We’re excited to be part of the 2025 Baha Mar Championship — this is exactly the kind of stage we want to be on,” Hardaway said. “We’ve got a brand-new group this year, and going up against some of the top teams in the country early will be a monster test, but that’s how you find out what you’re made of. I’ve always believed in challenging our guys right out of the gate, and this tournament gives us the perfect opportunity to grow, compete, and show what Memphis basketball is all about.”
Wake Forest posted its best finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference since 2008-09 last season, tying for fourth in the league at 13-7. The Demon Deacons recorded a 21-11 overall mark and ranked among the nation’s Top 20 in field goal percentage defense. Head Coach Steve Forbes returns his top rebounder from 2024-25 in forward Tre’Von Spillers and also brings back guard Juke Harris and forward Omaha Biliew. Welcomed portal additions include forward Cooper Schwieger (Valparaiso) and guards Mekhi Mason (Washington), Myles Colvin (Purdue), Nate Calmese (Washington State) and Sebastian Akins (Denver).
“We are very excited to represent the ACC in this year’s Baha Mar tournament,” Forbes said. “The field of participants is elite, making it one the most competitive events in all of college basketball. We are looking forward to the challenge.”
Past winners of the Baha Mar Championship include Louisville (2021), UCF (2022), Miami (2023) and Tennessee (2024).
VIP PACKAGES AND TICKETS ON SALE NOW
A limited number of Baha Mar Championship VIP packages are currently available through participating schools. Amenities of the VIP packages include a three-night stay at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, two general admission tickets to all games of the Baha Mar Championship, two tickets to the tournament’s VIP reception (Nov. 19) with dinner and open bar included, round-trip ground transportation from the airport and resort, two daily breakfast vouchers, welcome gifts and personal concierge service. (Airfare not included in the packages.) General admission tickets and hotel rooms can be purchased separately from the VIP packages at www.bahamarhoops.com beginning Tuesday, July 1.
MORE THAN BASKETBALL AWAITS AT THE BEAUTIFUL BAHA MAR RESORT
The remarkable Baha Mar resort serves as the backdrop to this basketball showcase. Anchored by Grand Hyatt and featuring SLS Baha Mar and Rosewood Baha Mar, the resort is situated on 1,000 acres overlooking Nassau’s famous turquoise ocean waters. The destination resort boasts more than 2,300 rooms, the largest casino in the Caribbean, a $200 million luxury water park, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, the Caribbean’s first and only flagship ESPA Spa and a collection of more than 45 restaurants and lounges.