Skyhawks to Compete in 2026 Emerald Coast Classic
7/9/2026 2:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball
NICEVILLE, Fla. – The University of Tennessee at Martin women's basketball team will take part in the 2026 Emerald Coast Classic, Global Sports Management announced Thursday.
The Skyhawks will be one of four teams competing in the tournament, which will be held Nov. 23-24 at Raider Arena on the campus of Northwest Florida State College in Niceville.
"This is a great chance for us to play two games in two days and against some powerful competition," said head coach Kevin McMillan. "These are the games we like to see early in the schedule to see what we are made of and what exactly we need to work on. We are always looking to be challenged and this gives us a great opportunity to play Power 4 competition on a neutral floor and simulate postseason tournaments."
UT Martin will face off against Virginia Tech Monday, Nov. 23, at 1:30 p.m. and then take on either Alcorn State or Michigan State in the championship or the third-place game. The tournament championship will be held Tuesday, Nov 24, at 1:30 p.m., preceded by the third-place game at 11 a.m.
The tournament will mark the Skyhawks' first trip to the Destin area for an in-season tournament and their first in-season tournament since competing in the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Honolulu during the 2024-25 season.
UT Martin has never faced Alcorn State or Michigan State and is 0-2 all-time against Virginia Tech, last competing against the Hokies during the 20221-22 season as part of the San Juan Shootout in Puerto Rico. The two teams also played each other in the 2002-03 season as part of the Hokies' Virginia Tech Classic in Blacksburg.
Online tickets for the tournament will go on sale later this summer through www.emeraldcoastclassic.com.
The Skyhawks will be one of four teams competing in the tournament, which will be held Nov. 23-24 at Raider Arena on the campus of Northwest Florida State College in Niceville.
"This is a great chance for us to play two games in two days and against some powerful competition," said head coach Kevin McMillan. "These are the games we like to see early in the schedule to see what we are made of and what exactly we need to work on. We are always looking to be challenged and this gives us a great opportunity to play Power 4 competition on a neutral floor and simulate postseason tournaments."
UT Martin will face off against Virginia Tech Monday, Nov. 23, at 1:30 p.m. and then take on either Alcorn State or Michigan State in the championship or the third-place game. The tournament championship will be held Tuesday, Nov 24, at 1:30 p.m., preceded by the third-place game at 11 a.m.
The tournament will mark the Skyhawks' first trip to the Destin area for an in-season tournament and their first in-season tournament since competing in the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Honolulu during the 2024-25 season.
UT Martin has never faced Alcorn State or Michigan State and is 0-2 all-time against Virginia Tech, last competing against the Hokies during the 20221-22 season as part of the San Juan Shootout in Puerto Rico. The two teams also played each other in the 2002-03 season as part of the Hokies' Virginia Tech Classic in Blacksburg.
Online tickets for the tournament will go on sale later this summer through www.emeraldcoastclassic.com.
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