Basketball Begins Friday at Cougar Tipoff

Cougar Tipoff offers fan interactive contests and giveaways and the opportunity to meet the players and see a full-length scrimmage

PROVO -- Basketball fans will get their first look at the BYU men's and women's basketball teams Friday at Cougar Tipoff.

The second annual event takes place in the Marriott Center and features a full-length men's scrimmage, two-ball shooting contests, a slam-dunk exhibition, contests and giveaways and an autograph signing party.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the event that will be emceed by Daryn Tufts of "Singles Ward" fame. Fan-interactive contests and giveaway will start taking place at 6:15 p.m. leading up to the introduction of the men's and women's teams at 7 p.m.

BYU season ticket holders receive a ticket to Cougar Tipoff as part of the season ticket package. Students with All-Sport Cards will also be admitted. Otherwise, reserved-seat tickets can be purchased for $2 at the Marriott Center Ticket Office by calling 800-322-BYU1 or 422-BYU1 or online at BYUtickets.com. Youth groups of 10 or more accompanied by an adult leader will be admitted free of charge. Youth groups should enter at the Northwest entrance to the Marriott Center.

"This is a fun event for our team and for BYU fans," BYU men's coach Steve Cleveland said. "In addition to the contests, we will play a full-length scrimmage and the fans can stay afterward and meet the players. We are grateful for the support of the community and our student body and hope this will be a fun evening for everyone."

After the team introductions, the two teams will participate in a two-ball competition, teaming members from the men's and women's teams together similar to the NBA all-star weekend contest.

The men's team will put on a dunk exhibition prior to coach Cleveland splitting his squad into two teams for a 40-minute running-clock scrimmage. At halftime, the final grand-prize giveaways will be awarded. After the game, players will meet with fans and sign autographs. Free team posters will be available.

"We look forward to this season," BYU women's coach Jeff Judkins said. "We have a great home schedule with teams like USC, George Washington and Arizona. We have a good team that will contend for the conference title."