The 2009 76 Classic was a 3-day, 8-team, 12-game men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I exempt basketball event held on November 26, 27, & 29, 2009. The tournament was sponsored by Conoco Phillips-owned brand 76. All 12 games were played at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. The 76 Classic was an ESPN Regional TV owned and operated event, hosted by ESPN and the Big West Conference. All games were televised on the ESPN family of networks.
Contents
Butler, with 6'9" Gordon Hayward, was rated No. 9 by ESPN The Magazine in its pre-season rankings, followed by No. 11 West Virginia, No. 23 Minnesota, No. 27 Texas A&M, and No. 30 UCLA.
The West Virginia Mountaineers won the tournament by defeating Long Beach State, Texas A&M, and upstart Portland in the finals to capture the 76 Classic title in 2009.
Bracket
All times: Pacific time (PT)
Awards and honors
Tournament MVP
All-Tournament Team