The following is a press release from Iowa State Athletics Communications:
ORLANDO, Fla. –The 2023 ESPN Events Invitational field was announced today and Iowa State will be one of the teams in the 17th annual tournament. The Cyclones will be one of six teams that played in the 2023 NCAA Tournament that is part of the eight-team field. The tournament will take place at the State Farm Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports near Orlando November 23-26.
The 2023 appearance marks the second time the Cyclones take the floor in Orlando, having appeared in 2016. The 2016-17 Cyclones earned wins over Indiana State and Miami (Fla.) to advance to the championship game before falling to No. 11 Gonzaga 73-71.
Joining the Cyclones in Orlando will be Boise State, Butler, Florida Atlantic, Penn State, Texas A&M, VCU and Virginia Tech. FAU, Penn State, Boise State, Texas A&M and VCU joined Iowa State as 2023 NCAA Tournament participants, while Virginia Tech played in the 2023 NIT.ADVERTISING
“With six returning NCAA Tournament teams, the ESPN Events Invitational figures to be one of the strongest early-season tournaments in the country,” said Clint Overby, Vice President, ESPN Events. “We look forward to hosting all eight teams and their fans at Walt Disney World Resort this Thanksgiving.”
Oklahoma won the most recent ESPN Events Invitational in 2022. Previous winners include Dayton in 2021 and 2011, Maryland in 2019, Villanova in 2018, West Virginia in 2017, Gonzaga in 2016, 2012 and 2008, Xavier in 2015, Kansas in 2014, Memphis in 2013, Notre Dame in 2010, Florida State in 2009, N.C. State in 2008 and Arkansas in 2007.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex has a rich history of hosting world-class nationally televised sporting events. The best athletes in the world from the NBA, NFL, MLB, MLS and more have competed at the facility which features multiple venues capable of hosting a variety of events. Within the last few years, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex has been used for Major League Baseball Spring Training, the NFL Pro Bowl Experience and the return of the NBA in 2020. The facility and the rest of Walt Disney World Resort connect fans to the excitement in a way no other sports complex can offer.
More information, including travel packages, can be found on the ESPN Events Invitational web site.
