Since its debut in 2014, the Emerald Coast Classic has become the premier sporting event in the area, drawing top college basketball programs from around the country. The tournament also shines a national spotlight on Northwest Florida State College, showcasing its facilities and vibrant campus life.
For the first time, fans will be able to watch some of the nation’s best men’s and women’s basketball teams compete within a six-day span. Tickets for both tournaments are on sale now at www.emeraldcoastclassic.com.
Held every Thanksgiving week at Northwest Florida State College, the men’s tournament has earned a reputation as one of the NCAA’s best, regularly attracting NBA scouts and national media coverage. CBS Sports Network will televise both the semifinal and championship rounds.
The men’s tournament will be played Nov. 28-29 at Raider Arena.
- Friday, Nov. 28: DePaul vs. Georgia Tech at 6 p.m.; Drake vs. LSU at 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 29: Third-place game at 3 p.m.; championship at 6 p.m.
LSU returns for its second appearance, having won the 2021 title over Wake Forest, 75-61. Head coach Matt McMahon, now in his fourth year, welcomes a transfer class ranked No. 16 nationally by 247Sports. Drake is coming off a program-record 31-4 season, sweeping the Missouri Valley Conference titles and reaching the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs, now led by first-year head coach Eric Henderson, have advanced to three straight NCAA Tournaments.
Georgia Tech, under third-year coach Damon Stoudamire, finished 17-17 last season and advanced to the NIT. DePaul, led by first-year head coach Chris Holtmann, reached the 2025 College Basketball Crown—the Blue Demons’ first postseason appearance since 2019. Holtmann previously guided Ohio State to the 2023 Emerald Coast Classic championship.
The women’s tournament will feature eight teams Nov. 24-25, divided into the Bay and Beach Brackets.
Bay Bracket (Nov. 24-25):
- Semifinals: Providence vs. Middle Tennessee State, 11 a.m.; Mississippi State vs. Alcorn State, 1:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 25: Third-place game, 11 a.m.; championship, 1:30 p.m.
Beach Bracket (Nov. 24-25):
- Semifinals: Nebraska vs. Purdue Fort Wayne, 5 p.m.; Virginia vs. Northwestern State, 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 25: Third-place game, 5 p.m.; championship, 7:30 p.m.
Mississippi State went 22-12 last season, advancing to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Nebraska finished 21-12 and also made the NCAA field. Middle Tennessee State posted a 26-8 record in 2024-25 and competed in the 2025 WBIT.
