WILMINGTON, N.C. – With the opening tip of hoops season still months away, one piece of the UNC Wilmington men’s basketball schedule fell into place Wednesday when the Seahawks punched their ticket to appear in the South Padre Island Invitational.

The Seahawks, coming off one of college basketball’s biggest turnaround seasons in 2007-08, are one of eight teams scheduled to appear in the fourth annual event.The first two rounds will be played at campus sites on Nov. 23 and Nov. 25, with all eight teams convening on the Texas Gulf coast Nov. 28 and Nov. 29 for the final two rounds.

In addition to UNCW, the field features Texas A&M, Illinois, N.C. Central, Tulsa, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Kent State and Jackson State.

“We’re extremely excited about being part of the South Padre Island event,” said third-year coach Benny Moss. “We’re playing two excellent teams on their home court before going down to South Padre. It will be a wonderful way to spend the Thanksgiving holiday and an opportunity for our fans to visit a beautiful resort area.”

UNCW will visit Kent State on Sunday, Nov. 23, and then fly down to College Station for a first-ever matchup with the Aggies on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The Seahawks will then face N.C. Central, Jackson State or TAMUCC on Friday and Saturday (Nov. 28-29).

A resort community, South Padre Island is a barrier island on the Texas Gulf coast. Tournament passes for the games may be purchased through the South Padre Island Convention Center at 888-77408587 or www.sopadre.com.

 - Courtesy UNCW Sports Information