The Montana State women's basketball squad is set to embark on a cross‑country journey to Jacksonville, Florida, where they will compete in the inaugural Women's Jacksonville Classic over the Thanksgiving weekend of November 23‑25.
Head coach Tricia Binford outlined the purpose of the trip, describing the tournament as a high‑stakes opportunity to test her team against some of the nation's most formidable programs and to sharpen their preseason rhythm.
Oklahoma arrives with a 26‑8 record from the previous season, a run that ended in the Sweet 16 at the hands of South Carolina, while Middle Tennessee State University posted a 17‑16 overall mark and secured third place in its conference with an 11‑7 slate.
A Competitive Field of Teams
The Classic will feature nine Division I programs, including Arizona, George Washington, UAB, Oregon State, Virginia and Vanderbilt, alongside Oklahoma and MTSU, creating a dense schedule of competitive matchups for all participants.
Fans can purchase tournament passes through the official site, www.jacksonvilleclassic.com, which also provides detailed brackets, ticket information and additional event details.
For Montana State, the experience is about more than just wins; it is a chance to fine‑tune strategies, build chemistry and gauge readiness for the upcoming season, using the tournament as a proving ground before the regular schedule begins.