LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 26: ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas stands on the court before calling the Continental Tire Challenge between the Duke Blue Devils and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at T-Mobile Arena on November 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Blue Devils defeated the Bulldogs 84-81. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
ESPN’s lead College Basketball analyst loves the game of golf. From the moment the NCAA National Champion is crowned to the next fall you can find Jay on a golf course somewhere.
For the last few years, right before the college basketball season kicks in, Jay comes on the show to talk about where he’s played this year. And since he’s here, we have to talk a little college basketball.
The NBA’s first-ever in-season tournament kicked off on a Friday night, and teams donned their NBA City Edition jerseys. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers were among the first teams to compete at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
It seems like some people who follow pro basketball are a bit puzzled about how this tournament works. In an interview, even one NBA player was super honest about not really understanding what’s going on. Los Angeles Clippers guard Bones Hyland told the media, “I ain’t even gonna lie, I don’t even know what’s going on. I don’t even know how it works. I don’t know anything honestly.”
How do you tell which games are for the In-Season Tournament?
For those curious about how to identify In-Season Tournament games, the NBA has made it quite clear. Home teams will wear new City Edition jerseys during these games, and each team will play on a different court.
Teams are introducing fresh court designs for the tournament. The Pacers’ court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse has departed from its usual brown hardwood look, opting for a vibrant blue and yellow design to match the city jerseys, which this year pay tribute to street art and feature a combination of black, white, blue, and yellow, departing from the standard uniforms.
This is a major change in the visual department for viewers tuning in to the first NBA Cup action of the season, and it’s stirring up mixed feelings among basketball fans.
While most NBA teams will adhere to an 82-game regular season schedule in 2023-24, not all games carry the same weight. The NBA in-season tournament will consist of 67 games in the Group Play and Knockout Rounds, with only the championship game not affecting the regular season standings.
Group Play games for the In-Season Tournament will be scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays in November, while the Knockout Rounds, including the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship, will occur in early December.
Social media reacts to in-season tournament jerseys and courts.
Viewers have been taking to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts on the new look. Check out some fan reactions below.
