Utah Valley men's basketball will travel to the Caribbean this November to compete in the 2026 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, marking the first scheduled game announced for the Wolverines' 2026-27 season. The team is set to face East Carolina in the tournament's opening round on Nov. 20 in St. Thomas.
Tournament Schedule and Format
The Wolverines accepted an invitation to the eight-team tournament, which is considered one of the premier early-season events in college basketball. The competition will take place from Nov. 20-23 at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center.
Matchup Details
According to Utah Valley University Athletics, the tournament pairings were announced Thursday. Utah Valley will open play against East Carolina on Friday, Nov. 20, at 9 p.m. AST, which corresponds to 7 p.m. MT.
The tournament utilizes a traditional bracket format that guarantees every participating team three games over the four-day event. The winner of the opening matchup between Utah Valley and East Carolina will advance to the semifinals on Sunday, Nov. 22, to face the winner of the game between UT Martin and Southern Illinois. The championship and consolation games are scheduled for Monday, Nov. 23.
Tournament Legacy
The Paradise Jam has a 27-year history and has hosted numerous NCAA Tournament teams and nationally recognized programs. Since its debut in 2000, the event has established itself as one of the nation's longest-running early-season college basketball tournaments.
Upcoming Schedule Info
The field for the 2026 Paradise Jam includes Utah Valley, East Carolina, Temple, Middle Tennessee, Indiana State, Stephen F. Austin, UT Martin, and Southern Illinois.
While the matchup against East Carolina is the first addition to the 2026-27 men's basketball schedule, the remainder of the Wolverines' nonconference schedule has not yet been released. The university indicated that details regarding the rest of the nonconference slate will be announced in the coming weeks via GoUVU.com and the program's social media channels.
Fan Information
Fans interested in traveling to St. Thomas for the event can access Paradise Jam Fan Packages through the university's athletic department. These packages include hotel accommodations, tournament passes, and travel information.
Additional information regarding television and streaming details for the tournament has not yet been released by the university.
Social Media Announcement
The university confirmed the tournament appearance on its official social media channels on July 30, 2026, noting the team's upcoming trip to Paradise.
