Maryland basketball to play UConn in 2015 in Jimmy V Classic

Maryland added a marquee matchup and signature event to its 2015-16 schedule on Monday with its announcement that it will play in the 2015 Jimmy V Classic. The Terrapins will face Connecticut at Madison Square Garden in New York in one game of the doubleheader on Dec. 8. Virginia will face West Virginia in the other game.

Both games will be televised on ESPN.

"We are excited that our program will have the opportunity to play on the national stage in one of the premier early-season tournaments in the country," head coach Mark Turgeon said in a release. "It's a tremendous field comprised of some of the nation's top programs. It is an honor to compete in this event."

The Terps opened their 2013-14 season against UConn at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Huskies were ranked 18th at the time and got 18 points from point guard Shabazz Napier to earn a one-point victory. Connecticut went on to win the national championship that season, while Maryland missed the NCAA Tournament.

A year later, though, the Huskies are the only member of the 2015 Jimmy V field that aren't currently ranked. The Terrapins are up to No. 19 and UVA and WVU are at Nos. 5 and 22, respectively.

The Jimmy V Classic is typically one of the top events during college basketball's early season. The Classic concludes the Jimmy V Week for Cancer Research, which will be in its ninth season honoring the late North Carolina State head coach Jim Valvano, and typically features high-profile programs and ranked teams. This year's doubleheader will be held tomorrow. No. 7 Villanova will face Illinois in the early game, followed by No. 4 Louisville taking on Indiana.