CANYON, Texas – All eyes will be on Canyon, Texas to open the 2021-22 DII Basketball season as West Texas A&M and the First United Bank Center will serve as the host for the 2021 Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) Tipoff Classic on October 29-31. Eight of the top men's and women's teams from across the country are scheduled to take part in the event.
 
On the men's side, the round-robin schedule features four NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago including a pair of Elite Eight participants as National Finalist West Texas A&M and National Quarterfinalist Daemen will be joined by Central Region Semifinalist Minnesota State-Moorhead and West Region Semifinalist Colorado Mesa. The four teams combined to go 61-16 last season with a pair of regular season conference championships.
 
"The Tipoff Classic is the premier tournament to start the NCAA DII season. We are very fortunate to be able to play in it and extremely honored to be able to host it this year" said WT head men's basketball coach Tom Brown "Our administration did an excellent job of getting the tournament to come to Canyon. I believe this will be a first class tournament with some really good teams. I expect all four teams to be NCAA tournament teams again this season."
 
Men's Schedule
Friday, October 29^th
4:00 p.m. – West Texas A&M vs. Colorado Mesa
6:30 p.m. – Daemen vs. Minnesota State Moorhead
 
Saturday, October 30^th
4:00 p.m. – West Texas A&M vs. Minnesota State Moorhead
6:30 p.m. – Colorado Mesa vs. Daemen
 
Sunday, October 31^st
1:30 p.m. – Minnesota State Moorhead vs. Colorado Mesa
6:30 p.m. – West Texas A&M vs. Daemen
 
The women's side will feature four of the premiere programs in the country as the Lady Buffs will be joined by National Runner-Up Drury, National Semifinalist Central Missouri and South Central Regional Finalist Southwestern Oklahoma State. The four teams combined to go 80-17 with three regular season conference titles during the 2020-21 campaign.
 
"It is a tremendous honor to be hold such a prestigious event on campus. We are excited to be able to start off our season against such quality opponents" said Lady Buff head coach Josh Prock "To be able to have Central Missouri, Drury and Southwestern Oklahoma State here at WT will make for an exciting atmosphere for all involved. We know our fans will be excited and it will be a fun weekend, big thanks to Michael McBroom and our entire staff for making this happen."
 
Women's Schedule
Friday, October 29^th
11:00 a.m. – Southwestern Oklahoma State vs. Drury
1:30 p.m. – West Texas A&M vs. Central Missouri
 
Saturday, October 30^th
11:00 a.m. – Central Missouri vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State
1:30 p.m. – West Texas A&M vs. Drury
 
Sunday, October 31^st
11:00 a.m. – Drury vs. Central Missouri
4:00 p.m. – West Texas A&M vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State