November 10, 2008 | AP Press

The college basketball season got underway with games in the Durham regional of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer.#5 Duke defeated Presbyterian, 80-49, as Kyle Singler posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. He led four Blue Devils in double-figures. In the first game, Georgia Southern beat Houston, 65-63.

Massachusetts, Michigan and Southern Illinois will begin play tonight.   #4 UCLA begins their regional on Wednesday. Regional games take place between November 10-13 with the four winners advancing to the Championship Rounds, November 20 & 21, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

ESPN will televise a total of 10 games of the tournament, including the Championship Round doubleheaders on November 20th & 21st.

The inclusion of Division II teams in the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer is a result of recent NCAA legislation increasing the number of games that teams are allowed to play and the increased number of early season tournaments. Additionally, there is an interesting history dating back to 1982 when NAIA Chaminade upset the nation’s top ranked team, Virginia, in a season opening tournament. Currently, these events can provide opportunities for teams to gain exposure which would not otherwise exist by giving them the chance to represent their institution on a national stage and give their student-athletes a competitive experience unlike the rest of their schedule.

2K Sports will be the title sponsor of the event for the fourth consecutive year. 2K Sports develops and publishes the popular and highly acclaimed 2K series of sports video games including the “NBA 2K” series – the best selling and best rated next-generation basketball videogame on the market. 2K Sports is known for delivering the most innovative and realistic sports simulation gaming experience to fans every year.

The Coaches vs. Cancer program, a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), exists to leverage the strength, community leadership and celebrity of the nation’s basketball coaches, to raise awareness and reduce cancer risk through education programs while raising funds for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. Since 1996, the event has raised more than $4 million for the benefit of Coaches vs. Cancer.

The 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer is produced by The Gazelle Group in Princeton, N.J. The Gazelle Group is a sports marketing firm, specializing in event production and management, client representation, and sponsorship consulting. Gazelle produces numerous nationally-recognized events, such as the O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic, the Legends Classic and the College Basketball Invitational (CBI). For more information on the Gazelle Group, please visit gazellegroup.com.