– UMass and Boston College to Play for First Time Since 2014 in the Birthplace of Basketball –
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, in collaboration with key investors including Explore Western Mass, Springfield Business Improvement District, UMass, and the MassMutual Center is proud to announce the field of teams for the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. The annual showcase will take place on December 10 at the MassMutual Center.
Wednesday, December 10
UMass vs. Boston College
Yale vs. UAlbany
“We are proud to announce the field for the 2025 Hall of Fame Classic,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “This event has become a staple of our winter lineup, offering a great environment for the programs and drawing strong support from the local community. We look forward to welcoming these teams to the ‘Birthplace of Basketball’ this December.”
Tickets go on sale Friday, September 5, at massmutualcenter.com.
Details surrounding the game time, broadcast information, and credentials will be announced at a later date. For more information, please visit hoophall.com.
Quotes from Participating Head Coaches
“The Basketball Hall of Fame Classic is a first-class event and gives us the opportunity to play against a quality opponent like UMass in the birthplace of basketball – Springfield, Mass. I am looking forward to a fantastic experience for our program and fans.” – Earl Grant, Boston College
“Once again, it will be an honor to be a part of the Hall of Fame classic in Springfield, playing at the MassMutual Center. This year, unlike the previous opportunities, it will be a great in-state match-up against Boston College. This will be great for basketball in our state and New England.” – Frank Martin, UMass
“We are thrilled to participate in the Hall of Fame Classic. To be able to take our team to the Hall of Fame and compete in the birthplace of basketball will be a special moment for our program and players. Having grown up in nearby Amherst and to compete against former UAlbany Great Dane and Yale HC James Jones, it will be a tremendous moment for our program.” – Dwayne Killings, UAlbany
“We’re excited to participate in the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Classic! We have the opportunity to play a quality opponent in a tremendous basketball venue.” – James Jones, Yale
About MassMutual Center
MassMutual Center is managed by the entertainment and hospitality industry leader, MGM Springfield, and owned by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. MassMutual Center is Western Massachusetts’ most diverse function space, with over 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 40,000 sq. ft. flexible exhibit hall, five fully-functional meeting rooms, a 15,000 sq. ft. ballroom, and an 8,000-seat arena. The facility is the proud home to the AHL Springfield Thunderbirds and American International College D1 Men’s Hockey team, in addition to hosting family shows, concerts, meetings, social and corporate functions, sporting events, and more.
About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors—both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 475 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo “Court of Dreams.” Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com and follow @hoophallU.
