NCAA Teams Announced For SoCal Challenge Basketball Tournament In SJC

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — College basketball fans, this one's for you. Division I basketball returns to San Juan Capistrano on Nov. 21 and 23 for the second edition of the SoCal Challenge's 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament, and college basketball teams from around the nation are scheduled to join in on the challenge.

The competing teams for this year's tournament include, in the Surf Division:

• University of Minnesota.
• University of Nevada Las Vegas.
• Cal Baptist University and Southern Illinois University.

The Sand Division includes:

• Cal State University Northridge.
• Central Michigan University.
• High Point University.
• Tennessee State University.

“We're looking forward to playing in the SoCal Challenge and facing some great competition Thanksgiving week," Minnesota Head Coach Ben Johnson said in a news release. "We know our student-athletes will have a first-class experience at such a well-run national tournament. I’m excited for our Gophers fans to experience a fun, warm destination that they can travel to and enjoy.”

The first SoCal Challenge took place in 2021, where hundreds of spectators saw Fresno State win the top prize in the Surf Division defeating Santa Clara, TCU, and Pepperdine. Utah Valley earned the top spot in the Sand Division over Cal Poly SLO, Idaho and Nicholls State.

The event was praised for its high energy, professional event management and beautiful location, a news release said.

“Teams and fans alike loved the first SoCal Challenge,” said Steve Barnes, Founder and Co-Executive Director of the SoCal Challenge. “We had a packed venue for both nights and are grateful that we were accepted by the college basketball media as if we’d been around forever, making sure we reached millions of people. This year's lineup of teams will be just as competitive and exciting.”

Primetime basketball games will be televised nationally. The tournament takes place at JSerra Pavillion, 26300 Junipero Serra Rd.

For more information on the SoCal Challenge, visit the tournament's website.