Hempstead, NY - Hofstra was one of eight teams chosen to participate in the 2010 O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off, it was announced this weekend.

The 12-game, bracketed collegiate basketball tournament features eight schools. The games in 2010 will be played the week before Thanksgiving weekend at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico.  Tournament pairings and game times for the 2010 event on November 18, 19 and 21 will be announced at a later date.

Joining Hofstra in the 2010 O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off field are five-time NCAA champion North Carolina, Davidson, Minnesota, Nebraska, Vanderbilt, West Virginia, and Western Kentucky. Villanova won this year's tournament, defeating Mississippi in the championship game.

The eight schools in the field combined for a 189-80 record during the 2008-2009 season with four NCAA participants (Minnesota, North Carolina, West Virginia and Western Kentucky). Six of the eight schools also won more than 20 games, including Hofstra at 21-11, with North Carolina topping the list with 34 wins.

"Once again, an outstanding field will represent conferences from around the country for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off ," said Pete Derzis, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Regional Television.  "The O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off  showcases quality competition and an outstanding off-court experience for the student-athletes, coaches and staff.  Fans will have an opportunity to spend the weekend watching college basketball and enjoying all that Puerto Rico has to offer."

"We are thrilled to take part in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off next year," said Hofstra Head Coach Tom Pecora. "We always look for the chance to compete against the best competition when the opportunities present themselves, and the Puerto Rico Tip-Off has an outstanding field. It is an exciting way to start the 2010 season, and we know that our fans and university will be behind us 100 percent."

The Big East Conference again serves as the host for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off  at the 18,000-seat Coliseo de Puerto Rico.  The tournament features four games each day, with the two undefeated teams competing in the championship game on one of the ESPN "family" of network outlets on the final day.

Tickets for the 2010 O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off are expected to go on sale next summer.  For more information, visit the official Web site: http://puertoricotipoff.com/.