To catch up on all of the posts in this series visit the 2017-18 Early Season Events Hub.
What Is It?
This is Fox Sports’ Christmas week tournament. The Las Vegas Invitational is their Thanksgiving event. Both usually have the same format (but not this season) and take place in the same venue.
How Long Has This Event Been Around?
The first Las Vegas Classic took place in December of 2001. Cincinnati went 4-0 to claim that event's crown, which saw each of the eight participants (Akron, UIC, ULM, Mississippi State, Purdue, Richmond, and Texas A&M also took part) play one game on-campus and three at Valley High School, a format followed by the earliest versions of the Las Vegas Invitational.