Mountain American Center to host the inaugural Snake River Invitational tournament over Thanksgiving weekend

IDAHO FALLS – Mark your calendars. There’s more college basketball coming to Idaho Falls.

The Mountain America Center, which has hosted a Boise State men’s basketball game the past three seasons, announced the inaugural four-team Snake River Invitational tournament, which will take place Nov. 27 through the 29th.

Boise State is the host team, and will be joined by Drake, North Texas, and North Dakota State. There will be two games per day over the Thanksgiving weekend.

“This is an opportunity to showcase our community,” Mountain America Center general manager Aaron White said during Tuesday’s press conference.

White noted that the goal was to make the Snake River Invitational an annual tradition as the arena looks to draw more sporting events.

Mike Burns, Boise State associate head coach, said the team’s visits to Idaho Falls the past few years have been important to the program.

“We feel Boise State represents the entire state,” he said.

Burns said being able to add neutral-site games into an an already competitive schedule should help the Broncos’ postseason resume.

The schedule, times TBD.

Friday, Nov. 27
-North Dakota State vs. North Texas
-Boise State vs. Drake

Saturday, Nov. 28
-Drake vs. North Dakota State
-Boise State vs. North Texas

Sunday, Nov. 29
-North Texas vs. Drake
-Boise State vs. North Dakota State

White said the tournament is the first step as the Mountain American Center looks to expand its portfolio of sporting events.

The MAC is home to Spud Kings hockey, and has also hosted high school championship events, high school basketball games, along with the Harlem Globetrotters.

“Idaho Falls is quickly becoming a terrific destination for major sporting events,” Rob Spear, Executive Director of IFAD (Idaho Falls Auditorium District)” said in a statemen. “This tournament gives us another opportunity to put our community in the spotlight and gives fans an unforgettable college basketball experience.”

After the announcement, tournament coaches responded.

“We are excited to head to some of the most beautiful areas of our country to play against three extremely qualified programs for the tournament at the Mountain America Center,” Drake head coach Eric Henderson said in a statement.

“We’re excited to be participating in the Snake River Invitational as it’s exactly the kind of event we wanted on our schedule,” North Texas head coach Daniyal Robinson said in a statement. “Boise State, North Dakota State and Drake have all been to the NCAA Tournament in recent years, and playing three programs of that caliber on short turnarounds will be a real test. Going on the road to Idaho Falls and playing in an unfamiliar environment is about as close to a postseason feel as you get in November. As a team, we look forward to the opportunity.”

Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com or in person at the venue’s Bingham Healthcare Box Office during open hours.