GEORGETOWN
Nickname: Hoyas
Conference: BIG EAST
Location: Washington, D.C.

The Hoyas represent the BIG EAST Conference, which is 4-2 in the Old Spice Classic (West Virginia, 2006 and Villanova, 2007). GU made its 25th NCAA Tournament appearance in 2007-08, and the team has reached the Final Four six times. The Hoyas won the national title in 1983-84 and have won 16 BIG EAST championships including the regular season title last year. This season’s team will be replacing four seniors, three of whom were regular starters.

GONZAGA
Nickname: Bulldogs
Conference: West Coast
Location: Spokane, Wash.

The Bulldogs will be the first West Coast team to play in the Old Spice Classic. This March, Gonzaga played in its 10th consecutive NCAA Tournament. The team came within a game of the 2001 Final Four and reached the Sweet 16 in 2005-06. Gonzaga should be strong in 2008-09 with only one senior starter this season. Coach Mark Few will be in his 10th year leading the Bulldogs.

MARYLAND
Nickname: Terrapins
Conference: Atlantic Coast
Location: College Park, Md.

The Terrapins represent the ACC, which produced last year’s Old Spice Classic winner North Carolina State (ACC is 4-2 in two years at the tourney). Maryland won the 2001-02 national championship after reaching the Final Four the previous year as well. The 2007-08 roster included 10 players who were freshmen or sophomores, including high scoring guard Greivis Vasquez. The Terps advanced to the second round of the NIT last season.

MICHIGAN STATE
Nickname: Spartans
Conference: Big Ten
Location: East Lansing, Mich.

The Spartans will look to become the first Big Ten team to win a game at the Old Spice Classic (0-3 by Minnesota in 2006 and Penn State in 2007). MSU is coming off its 11th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, advancing to the Sweet 16. The program has reach the Final Four six times and won the 1999-2000 national championship. Forward Raymar Morgan led the team in scoring in 2007-08 and will be in his junior season in the Old Spice Classic.

OKLAHOMA STATE
Nickname: Cowboys
Conference: Big 12
Location: Stillwater, Okla.

The Cowboys represent the Big 12 Conference, a league they have won twice this decade (2003-04 and 2004-05). Last year, Kansas State represented the Big 12 at the Old Spice Classic and went 2-1 for a fourth place finish. OSU has played in the post-season in each of the last 12 and 19 of the last 20 years, including a Final Four appearance in 2003-04. Point guard Byron Eaton will be playing in his senior season at the 2008 Old Spice Classic.

SIENA
Nickname: Saints
Conference: Metro Atlantic Athletic
Location: Loudonville, N.Y.

The Saints come from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), which is the official host conference of the Old Spice Classic. Siena won the regular season and conference tournament in 2007-08, then upset Vanderbilt in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. MAAC teams (Marist and Rider) are 3-3 in two years of play at the Milk House. Coach Fran McCaffery has led Siena to a winning record in each of his three seasons, after the team had lost a record 24 games the year before he arrived. All five starters are expected back next season, and the Saints lose only one senior from the roster.

TENNESSEE
Nickname: Volunteers
Conference: Southeastern
Location: Knoxville, Tenn.

The Volunteers represent the Southeastern Conference, which is 4-2 in Old Spice Classic games, including 2006 champion Arkansas. Tennessee will be celebrating its 100th season of basketball in 2008-09. The Vols have made three straight and 16 all-time NCAA Tournament appearances. Only three seniors will be lost from the team which reached the first No. 1 national ranking in school history on Feb. 25, 2007, and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

WICHITA STATE
Nickname: Shockers
Conference: Missouri Valley
Location: Wichita, Ks.

The Shockers are the second team from the Missouri Valley Conference to play in the Old Spice Classic. Wichita State has reached the post-season in four of the last six years, highlighted by a Sweet 16 appearance in 2005-06. Next season’s team should be experienced, with leading rebounder Ramon Clemente starting his senior year.