Men’s Junkanoo Jam and Bimini Jam Announced for 2018

– Basketball Travelers, Inc., in partnership with Resorts World Bimini, announced Tuesday the creation of two new Division-I men’s basketball tournaments, the Junkanoo Jam and the Bimini Jam. The inaugural men’s basketball tournaments will tip off Wednesday, Nov. 14 and run through Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018 at Gateway Christian Academy in Bimini, Bahamas.The men’s Junkanoo Jam will feature Central Michigan, CSU Bakersfield, San Jose State, and Weber State. The inaugural Bimini Jam will feature Air Force, High Point, South Dakota, and UMBC. Both tournaments are round robin format with champions determined by overall records.“We’re thrilled to announce the addition of the men’s tournaments for this year,” tournament director Jason Sarkies said. “We think these tournaments will provide a great opportunity for mid-major teams that get squeezed out of other early-season tournaments, but can still bring an elite level of play and excitement.”The opening game of the 2018 Junkanoo Jam will tip off at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT), Thursday, Nov. 15. The CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners and Central Michigan Chippewas will face off in the inaugural game, followed by San Jose State and Weber State at 8:30 p.m. Winners from the opening round games will return to Gateway Christian Academy to face off at 8:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 16. Losers from the opening round games will have a one-day respite before tipping off at 6 p.m. the following day. All four teams will return to action Sunday, Nov. 18 to conclude the tournament. For a complete bracket, visit junkanoojam.com The inaugural Bimini Jam will tip off Friday, Nov. 16 at 3:30 p.m. between Air Force and UMBC, followed by High Point and South Dakota at 6 p.m. to conclude the opening round of the tournament. Winners from the opening round will return to action Saturday, Nov. 17 at 8:30 p.m. Losers will face off the following day, Sunday, Nov. 18, at 3:30 p.m. All four teams will conclude the inaugural tournament Monday, Nov. 19 with games scheduled for 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. For a complete bracket, visit junkanoojam.com.Teams and fans will stay at the Hilton at Resorts World Bimini, the official partner of the Junkanoo Jam. Built in 2016, the resort features eight restaurants and bars, three pools, a casino with a sports book, snorkeling, big game fishing, and is located less than a 10-minute walk from the game site at Gateway Christian Academy. Fans interested in purchasing travel packages or tournament passes for the 2018 Junkanoo Jam and Bimini Jam can visit junkanoojam.com “Having hosted the women’s Junkanoo Jam for 16 years in the beautiful islands of the Bahamas, we look forward to beginning this new chapter with the men’s tournaments,” Sarkies said. “The teams will enjoy all that Bimini has to offer, and we are expecting high level competition for years to come.”Located just 50 miles off Florida’s coast, Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to the United States, boasting miles of pristine beaches. Known as Ernest Hemingway’s favorite escape, Bimini showcases the history and culture of the Caribbean. Visitors from around the world travel to Bimini to enjoy its warm weather, expansive beaches, and crystal clear waters.The introduction of the men’s Junkanoo Jam and Bimini Jam, expands Basketball Travelers, Inc.’s to three early-season tournament offerings. Basketball Travelers, Inc. also hosts the men’s Paradise Jam tournament, which enters its 18th season in the U.S. Virgin Islands.For more information about the inaugural men’s Junkanoo Jam and Bimini Jam, visit junkanoojam.com