The Orleans Arena Hosts The Las Vegas Invitational 11/26-27

The Orleans Arena is proud to host the Las Vegas Invitational for the fifth consecutive year this November.
 
In its 10th Annual year, the Las Vegas Invitational announces their lineup for the 2010 tournament.   The field includes 2006 Las Vegas Invitational Champion Kansas, Pac-10 power Arizona, Santa Clara University, Ohio University, University of Northern Colorado, Bethune-Cookman University, Valparaiso University, and Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi.
 
The University of Kansas Jayhawks (33-3) return to Las Vegas ranked as high as No. 7 in the 2010-11 pre-season.  In one of Las Vegas' most exciting basketball games ever, the Jayhawks defeated the national champions Florida Gators 82-80 in overtime before a sold out crowd at the Orleans Arena in 2006.  Kansas returns two starters and 12 letterwinners from its sixth straight Big 12 regular-season Title in 2010.  KU, ranked No. 1 for 15 weeks last season, was also the 2010 NCAA Tournament overall No. 1 seed.
 
The Arizona Wildcats (16-15) returns four starters and 11 letterwinners including Pac-10 freshman of the year forward Derrick Williams (15.7 ppg).
 
Ohio University (22-15) is coming off its first win in the NCAA Tournament since 1983, a resounding victory over the nationally-ranked Georgetown Hoyas.  The Bobcats are led by the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year D. J. Cooper (13.5 ppg, 5.9 apg, 5.4 rpg), senior big man DeVaughn Washington (11.3 ppg) and sharpshooter Tommy Freeman who finished second in the nation in three-point field goal accuracy at 47.7 percent.
 
Santa Clara (9-21) gets a huge boost this season as 2009 WCC Newcomer of the Year Kevin Foster returns after a redshirt year due to injury.  Knocking down 85 three pointers in his freshman year.  Foster shattered Bronco alum and two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash's previous school record.  Alongside Foster returns forward and all-WCC performer Marc Trasolini (13.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg).
 
Kansas will take on Ohio University in third round action and the University of Arizona Wildcats will challenge Santa Clara (11-21).  On Saturday November 27, matchups include Kansas taking on Arizona and Ohio University challenging Santa Clara.
 
Each team will play four games-the first two at campus sites and the final two rounds at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on November 26 and 27.
 
Tickets are on sale now, priced at $170, $138, $117 and $85 for a two-day package, inclusive of tax and fees. Tickets are available at the Orleans Arena Box Office by calling 702.284.7777 or by visiting www.orleansarena.com or at the participating schools athletic ticket offices.

About the Orleans Arena
The Orleans Arena, a Boyd Gaming facility, located just off the Las Vegas Strip is host to more than 200 events each year, including top concerts such as Van Halen, Black Eyed Peas, Akon, Rihanna, Brooks & Dunn, and Panic at the Disco; family favorites Harlem Globetrotters, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus; and a variety of sporting events including the Las Vegas Wranglers professional ECHL hockey team, NCAA basketball tournaments, the West Coast Conference Tournament, plus three major motorsports events each year. For information on booking events call 702.365.7469 or visit www.orleansarena.com.