FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mike Liotta Orange Bowl Committee [email protected] November 29, 2013 305-341-4785

METROPCS ORANGE BOWL BASKETBALL CLASSIC TEAMS FACE OFF TONIGHT

Florida State and Florida will be traveling to South Florida in less than a month to host games in the 2013 MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, but tonight they face off in a regular season showdown at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville. The Seminoles, 5-1 and just outside the Top 25, defeated then-No. 10 VCU in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off and face their third ranked opponent of the season in No. 13/15 Florida (5-1). The Gators are sporting a 19-game home winning streak, while the Seminoles are looking to defeat their second ranked opponent this month. Florida holds a 42-22 series lead over FSU and will look to win their fifth straight against their in-state rivals. The matchup will air tonight on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m.

The 20th annual MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic takes place on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, FL. Florida State will face another ranked opponent in Massachusetts in the first game of the doubleheader at 2 p.m. The Minutemen, who list Julius Erving and Marcus Camby among their alumni, are off to a 6-0 start with victories over Boston College, Clemson, LSU, New Mexico and Nebraska. They are coached by Derek Kellogg, who played at UMass under former coach John Calipari and are ranked No. 24 by the Associated Press, their first national ranking since 1998. Florida will face another team off to a good start, Fresno State (4-2) in the nightcap at 4:30 p.m.

For ticket information please contact the Orange Bowl ticket sales office at (305) 341-4701 or visit www.orangebowl.org.

With assistance from title sponsor MetroPCS and associate sponsors American Airlines, Baptist Health South Florida, BB&T Center, Coca-Cola, FOX Sports Florida / Sun Sports, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, Reese’s, Sports Authority, Sunshine Health and The Miami Herald, the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic will be the only Division I basketball played in Broward County again next season.

Both games will be available on Sun Sports throughout the state of Florida and across the nation on various Fox regional sports networks.

About the Orange Bowl The Orange Bowl is a 351-member, primarily-volunteer non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community. The Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the Discover Orange Bowl on January 3, 2014. Other Orange Bowl core events include the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance presented by Sports Authority, Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships, Orange Bowl Sailing Regatta Series and Orange Bowl Paddle Championships. For more information on the 2013-14 Orange Bowl events, including promotional and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, log on to www.orangebowl.org.

About the BB&T Center Sunrise Sports & Entertainment is the premier company of its kind in South Florida. The BB&T Center’s Social Media is powered by Ford - follow us on Twitter < http://twitter.com/thebbtcenter> and Facebook < http://facebook.com/thebbtcenter>. Home to the Florida Panthers Hockey Club and internationally recognized concerts and events, the Broward County-owned BB&T Center is one of the top ranked venues of its kind in the world.

About MetroPCS Communications, Inc. MetroPCS provides the freedom and convenience of unlimited, no-annual-contract wireless services on a nationwide 4G network for a flat rate. With MetroPCS, customers get great value and a wide variety of device choices from leading brands. A flagship brand operated by T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: “TMUS”), MetroPCS products and services are available online and across the United States through a network of company-owned stores, authorized dealer locations, and leading national retailers. For more information, please visit www.metropcs.com. -more-

MAKE IT ORANGE.

Orange Bowl Committee 14360 NW 77th Ct., Miami Lakes, Florida 33016 Tel 305.341.4700 Fax 305.341.4750 www.orangebowl.org

EDITORS NOTE, NOT FOR PUBLICATION: Credential requests for the 2013 MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic should emailed to [email protected]. Requests should include organization, credential type (media, photo, TV, etc.) and parking needs. Credentials will be available for pickup at media will call on event day. Media should enter via Gate 5 at the BB&T Center and continue through the tunnel to the rear of the building. The media entrance/will call is located in the media/production lot at BB&T Center. Photo ID is required upon entry.

MAKE IT ORANGE.

Orange Bowl Committee 14360 NW 77th Ct., Miami Lakes, Florida 33016 Tel 305.341.4700 Fax 305.341.4750 www.orangebowl.org