OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma City University is set to host the second consecutive annual Abe Lemons Class from Thursday, Oct. 31 through Saturday Nov. 2 inside Abe Lemons Arena. 

About Abe
In 1955 Abe Lemons was brought on as the head coach of his alma mater at Oklahoma City University where coached OCU from 1955-1973. Lemons then moved on to coach Pan American University, better known as UT Rio Grande Valley from 1973-1976. From 1976-1982 Lemons found himself at the helm for the University of Texas where he served as president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches in 1977 and was named National Coach of the Year in 1978. In March 1978, Lemons led the University of Texas to the championship of the NIT with a victory over North Carolina State. 

In 1983 Lemons found himself back at Oklahoma City University in his second stint with his alma mater where he led the Chiefs (now known as Stars) to the NAIA Championship tournament once and to the District IX playoffs four times. Lemons was Sooner Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1985–1986. OCU had an undefeated season record and a trip to the NAIA tournament in 1986–1987. That year, they were ranked number one throughout the season. The season ended with a 34–1 record, Lemons was named District 9 Coach of the Year and Sooner Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. In 1987, he was named Basketball Times Coach of the Year. In 1989, he received the Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award. During his 25 years with OCU, Lemons posted a record of 432–264. 

Who's Coming
This year's Abe Lemons Classic features three NAIA top-10 teams including four teams who reached the National Tournament last season. The classic is one of the most hyped up preseason tournament's the 2024-25 season will see across the country consisting of eight schools coming from Arizona, California, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

#1 Langston Lions

• Head Coach: Chris Wright
• Langston, Okla.
• Conference: SAC
• 2023-24 Record: 35-1
• Last Year's Finish: National Runner-up

#10 The Master's Mustangs

• Head Coach: Kelvin Starr
• Santa Clarita, Calif. 
• Conference: GSAC
• 2023-24 Record: 24-9
• Last Year's Finish: Lost in Round of 16 

Mission Patriots

• Head Coach: Dallas Meinders
• Springfield, Mo.
• Conference: AMC
• 2023-24 Record: 15-11
• Last Year's Finish: Missed Tournament

Missouri Baptist Spartans

• Head Coach: Taylor Jarvis
• St. Louis, Mo.
• Conference: AMC
• 2023-24 Record: 21-10
• Last Year's Finish: Lost in AMC Championship

Oklahoma City Stars

• Head Coach: Mark Berokoff
• Oklahoma City, Okla.
• Conference: SAC
• 2023-24 Record: 10-18
• Last Year's Finish: Missed Tournament

#5 Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles

• Head Coach: Donnie Bostwick
• Bartlesville, Okla.
• Conference: KCAC
• 2023-24 Record: 31-3
• Last Year's Finish: Lost in Round of 16

Ottawa (Ariz.) Spirit

• Head Coach: Tyler Ojanen
• Surprise, Ariz. 
• Conference: GSAC
• 2023-24 Record: 19-11
• Last Year's Finish: Lost in NAIA First Round

Southwestern Christian Eagles

• Head Coach: Quinn Wooldridge
• Bethany, Okla. 
• Conference: SAC
• 2023-24 Record: 1-23
• Last Year's Finish: Missed Tournament

Classic Schedule

Thursday, Oct. 31

Mission vs Southwestern Christian | 6:00 PM

Ottawa (AZ) vs Oklahoma City | 8:00 PM

Friday, Nov. 1

Ottawa (AZ) vs Southwestern Christian | 1:00 PM

The Masters vs Missouri Baptist | 3:00 PM

Langston vs Mission | 5:00 PM

Oklahoma Wesleyan vs Oklahoma City | 7:00 PM

Saturday, Nov. 2

Missouri Baptist vs Ottawa (AZ) | 11:00 AM

Langston vs The Masters | 1:00 PM

Southwestern Christian vs Oklahoma Wesleyan | 3:00 PM

Mission vs Oklahoma City | 5:00 PM

How to Watch
TV/Radio: SAC Sports Network

Live Stats: www.ocusports.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary

Tickets
SidelineTix

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