April 6, 2005

The University of Alaska Anchorage announced the men’s and women’s teams for the 2005 version of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout. The 28th annual college basketball extravaganza is scheduled for Nov. 22-26 at Sullivan Arena.

The men’s squads comprising the 2005 field are Alaska Anchorage, Eastern Washington, Marquette, Monmouth, Oral Roberts, South Carolina, Southern California, plus one team to be announced.

“I am pleased we are being included in the Great Alaska Shootout,” said USC Head Coach Dave Odom. “It will serve as a very strong early test for our team. All the teams in the Great Alaska Shootout should be quality competition. It sounds like a very balanced field with no team, at least at this point, being the odds on favorite.

“This is my second trip to the Alaska and this tournament,” continued Odom. “The Alaskan people treated the teams and extended a wonderful welcome the first time and I anticipate the same type of welcome. I know the Gamecocks are excited to play in the tournament and look forward to the trip to Alaska.”

The 4-team women’s field is full, with Alaska Anchorage hosting Arizona, Central Connecticut and Furman.

Here is a team-by-team look at the 2005 Shootout fields:

MEN
Eastern Washington will make its Shootout debut under second-year head coach Mike Burns. The Eagles finished 8-20 in 2004-05, after capturing the Big Sky Conference title the previous season.

Marquette, which has reached the title game in both its previous Shootout appearances, is back to defend its 2001 crown. Coach Tom Crean’s Golden Eagles, who are jumping to the powerful Big East Conference in 2005-06, are hoping to bounce back from an injury-riddled year that saw them finish 19-12 and reach the postseason NIT.

Monmouth makes its first trip to Anchorage in 2005, as the New Jersey school tries to gain on its momentum from last season’s Northeast Conference regular-season title. The Hawks, who went 16-13 in 2004-05, will be the first-ever NEC team to make an appearance in the men’s Shootout.

Oral Roberts, also making its Shootout debut, was the Mid-Continent Conference regular-season champ in 2004-05 and came just two points shy of an NCAA berth. The Tulsa, Okla., school is coming off a 25-8 season in which it made the postseason NIT and produced an AP honorable mention All-American in sophomore forward Caleb Green.

South Carolina, which finished third in the 1990 Shootout, returns to Anchorage with an experienced club under head coach Dave Odom. The Gamecocks, of the Southeastern Conference, recently captured the championship of the postseason NIT, and should be poised to make a run at the 2006 NCAA Tournament.

Southern California will return to the Shootout for the first time since 1983, led by accomplished head coach Tim Floyd. The Trojans, of the Pacific-10 Conference, are coming off a rough 12-17 campaign, but should be much improved in 2005-06.

The only team to compete in every Shootout, host Alaska Anchorage tries for its annual upset again in 2005. The Seawolves have won at least one game in 18 of the last 20 tournaments, and head coach Rusty Osborne’s squad should be revamped and ready to surprise another Division I giant next year.

An eighth team will be announced when the field is completed, pending an April ruling on the NCAA’s “2-and-4” legislation.

WOMEN
Arizona, coming off its third straight 20-win season, makes its first appearance in the women’s Shootout in 2005. The Wildcats, who went 20-12 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament this year, feature former East Anchorage High star Natalie Jones in their starting backcourt.

Central Connecticut State, another Shootout newcomer, is coming off a 9-19 record in 2004-05. The Blue Devils play in the Northeast Conference and are coached by Yvette Harris.

Furman, of Greenville, S.C., went 18-10 last season and finished third in the tough Southern Conference. The Lady Paladins, led by head coach Sam Dixon, are also making their first trip to Anchorage.

Alaska Anchorage, which has won its own tournament twice (1990 and 2003), will aim to make more history in 2005. The Seawolves are led by third-year head coach Jody Hensen.

Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout History