BYU Men, Duke Women
Take Paradise Jam 2002

VI Basketball fans received an early Christmas present in November of 2002, as the University of the Virgin Islands and Basketball Travelers Inc. hosted the 2002 edition of the University of the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam.
The NCAA Division I pre-season basketball tournament, which is growing in stature and popularity, drew six top men's teams and an outstanding women's division, led by the nation's number-one ranked Duke Blue Devils.
The Cougars of Brigham Young University won the men's division on November 25, while the Duke Blue Devils snatched the women's crown in an exciting game that was decided in the last seconds of overtime on November 30. Radio crews from across the nation broadcast the games live from the UVI Sports and Fitness Center. Teams brought their fans along, providing a early season windfall to some St. Thomas hoteliers and restaurateurs.
Along with BYU, the men's teams included St. Bonaventure, Kansas State University, the University of Michigan, Virginia Tech and the University of Toledo.
Accompanying Duke in the women's division were the University of Arkansas, Boston College, Hampton University, Old Dominion University, the University of Oregon and the University of South Carolina.
"We're proud to be the host of UVI Paradise Jam basketball," said UVI Athletic Director Peter Sauer. "The numbers of fans that the event attracts on St. Thomas is second only to Carnival. The sheer numbers of people who visit because of it and the exposure the tournament generates stateside is extremely advantageous to the University and to the territory as a whole."
Adding to the excitement were half-time performances by the Charlotte Amalie High School marching band.