July 9, 2004

SEATTLE -- Pairings for the 2004 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout have been announced and the Washington men's basketball team meets Utah on Thursday, Nov. 25 at 8:30 p.m. Pacific Time. The Huskies first-round game will be televised live on ESPN2.

The UW-Utah winner has a Nov. 26 meeting at 9 p.m. PST with the winner of the Oklahoma-High Point first-round game. That semifinal matchup will be televised on ESPN2 as will the tournament's championship game on Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. PST.

Utah posted a 24-9 record last season and participated in the NCAA Tournament. Former Washington assistant Ray Giacoletti is in his first season as head coach of the Utes. He takes over at Utah after four seasons at Eastern Washington. Giacoletti was on Coach Bob Bender's UW staff from 1993-97.

The Great Alaska Shootout begins with host Alaska Anchorage playing Alabama on Nov. 24 at 8:30 p.m. PST on ESPN2. The second game that evening features Minnesota against Furman at 10:45 p.m. PST.

Husky fans can obtain information on a travel package to the Great Alaska Shootout by contacting Northwest Travel at (425) 747-8277 extension 131.

The Huskies return their entire starting lineup from last season's Pac-10 runner-up and NCAA Tournament qualifier. The top seven scorers are back for Washington, which registered a 19-12 record in 2004 and participated in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years.

The 12-6 conference record and second-place Pac-10 finish were the Huskies' best performances since 1986. UW's stellar season ended with a 102-100 loss to UAB in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

2004 CARRS/SAFEWAY GREAT ALASKA SHOOTOUT
(All times Pacific Standard, Alaska Standard Time is one hour earlier)

Wednesday, Nov. 24 (First Round)
8:30 p.m. -- Alabama vs. Alaska Anchorage (ESPN2)
10:45 p.m. -- Furman vs. Minnesota

Thursday, Nov. 25 (First Round)
6:00 p.m. -- High Point vs. Oklahoma
8:30 p.m. -- Washington vs. Utah (ESPN2)

Friday, Nov. 26 (Consolation Semifinals)
1:00 p.m. -- Alabama/UAA loser vs. Furman/Minnesota loser
3:00 p.m. -- High Point/Oklahoma loser vs. Washington/Utah loser

Friday, Nov. 26 (Semifinals)
6:30 p.m. -- Alabama/UAA winner vs. Furman/Minnesota winner
9:00 p.m. -- High Point/Oklahoma winner vs. Washington/Utah winner (ESPN2)

Saturday, Nov. 27 (Finals)
11:00 a.m. -- 7th/8th place game
1:00 p.m. -- 4th/6th place game
4:30 p.m. -- 3rd/5th place game
7:00 p.m. -- Championship Game (ESPN2)