July 24, 2008
2008 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout Bracket 
Cullowhee, N.C. - The field for the 2008 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout men's basketball tournament was announced this week by the host University of Alaska Anchorage. In addition to the host Seawolves and Western Carolina, the 31st edition of the NCAA exempt tournament will include Hampton (MEAC), Louisiana Tech (WAC), Northern Illinois (MAC), Portland State (Big Sky), San Diego State (Mountain West) and Seattle (Independent), which is returning to NCAA Division I competition after a 28-year run as a D-II program.
Of the eight teams in the tournament, two advanced to post-season play a year ago. Portland State advanced to the NCAA Field of 64 as a No. 16 seed, falling in the opening round to eventual national champion, Kansas. San Diego State represented the MWC in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
The 2008 event is scheduled for Nov. 26-29 at Anchorage's Sullivan Arena. Among the seven potential foes in the event, Western Carolina has only faced one - Louisiana Tech- on one previous occasion - a 72-48 loss in the 1984 Volunteer Classic played in Knoxville, Tenn. And, aside from the host UAA, each team is making its' first-ever appearance in the tournament.
All tip-off times have yet to be determined and will be announced at a later date.
WCU's first-round opponent, San Diego State, is coached by Steve Fisher. The Aztecs, who should be among the favorites in the Mountain West Conference (MWC) this season, return three double-digit scorers, including two-time All-MWC selection, Lorenzo Wade, and forward Ryan Amoroso, who helped Marquette to the Shootout title in 2005 before transferring to SDSU.
"We are very excited to be participating in the Great Alaska Shootout tournament," said Western Carolina head coach Larry Hunter. "While the tournament does not have a highly ranked team in the field, there are several programs that have won a lot of games the last couple of years. It is a very competitive field and San Diego State on paper anyway might very well be the pre- tournament favorite."
The Great Alaska Shootout includes both a men's and women's component, with action on the men's side slated to get underway on Wednesday, Nov. 26 as Hampton battles Alaska Anchorage and Portland State faces Northern Illinois. Thursday's slate includes Seattle squaring off against Louisiana Tech and the first meeting between the Catamounts and Aztecs. Each team is guaranteed three games with the bracket featuring both a winners and consolation side.
The championship final will be played on Saturday, Nov. 29.
The Southern Conference has a history in the Great Alaska Shootout (GAS). Current SoCon member, College of Charleston, has made two appearances in the finals of the tournament. The Cougars finished as the runner-up in the 1996 event prior to joining the league, and won the title in 2002 with a two-point victory over Villanova.
Most recently, Furman made the trek to "the last frontier" in 2004, finishing with a 1-2 record with a victory over the host Seawolves. UNC Greensboro picked up a win over Southern California in the 1996 GAS, while Chattanooga finished 1-2 in the 1992 tournament.
"Both the men's and women's fields should provide competitive tournaments with interesting match-ups," said UAA athletic director, Dr. Steve Cobb. "We are appreciative that each of these institutions has chosen to spend Thanksgiving week with us here in Anchorage."
He added, "We are in negotiations to continue television coverage of the Shootout."
Western Carolina will play two games on its 2008-09 schedule before venturing to Alaska for the Shootout. The Catamounts open the season on August 14 in Storrs, Conn., to face the Connecticut Huskies before hosting Toccoa Falls in non-conference action at the Ramsey Center on Nov. 20.
Practice for the 2008-09 season can officially begin at 7:00 pm on Friday, Oct. 17.
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