Florida International, Isiah Thomas threaten to pull out
The 2009 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs Cancer revealed their 12-team schedule on Tuesday. On the first day of the regional round, head coach Isiah Thomas’ Florida International University will take on the Tar Heels of North Carolina.
Or maybe not.
Florida International is threatening to pull out of the tournament in November if it has to play North Carolina in the opening game, the school’s athletic director Pete Garcia told Yahoo! Sports on Tuesday.
Garcia said the school had agreed to open the tournament against Ohio State “months earlier,” but was not informed of a possible schedule change until receiving an email on Tuesday from the Gazelle Group, which is running the event. Garcia said FIU will participate in the tournament only if it plays the Buckeyes.
“We are pulling out of the tournament unless they fix it,” Garcia said. “We want to play Ohio State. We have some strong alumni ties in Ohio. If not, we don’t want to play.” Immediately after stating this, Garcia threw his cup of milk on the floor and wouldn’t eat his vegetables.
However, Rick Giles, president of the Gazelle Group said FIU is contractually obligated to play in the tournament. Universities aren’t allowed to hand pick their opponents for the tournament. Ultimately, it comes down to the Gazelle Group, “We’ve scheduled hundreds and hundreds of teams,” Giles said. “Teams have preferences. But the final decision is with us.”
During this whole ruckus, Isiah Thomas decided to sign sophomore foward-center Freddy Asprilla to an eight-year, $96 million contract.
