Could Louisville basketball be playing in a Bahamas event in November?
Louisville's men's basketball program is lining up an appearance in a new multi-team event in the Bahamas this November, according to a tweet by Jon Rothstein. The Cardinals would replace NC State and play Mississippi State in the event's first-round, which also would include Maryland and Richmond, per Rothstein. The winners and losers would meet in the ensuing round. Despite the report, Louisville did not confirm plans to participate. "We're keeping our options open and we do not have a signed agreement with the Bahamas event," U of L spokesman Kenny Klein said Thursday. Louisville's fall schedule is still a work in progress. The program in 2018 signed an agreement to play in the 2021 Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York. But that event is expected to move the Prudential Center in Newark, per Stadium's Jeff Goodman, because the Gazelle Group's contract or contracts expired. Gonzaga, Oklahoma State and Providence were the other teams linked to the 2021 Empire Classic. Villanova beat Arizona State 83-74 in the 2020 edition, which was held at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut as part of Bubbleville. More:Louisville's newcomer Jarrod West wants to lead and "compete at the highest level"  Earlier:Former Louisville basketball assistant Dino Gaudio cuts plea deal, will talk to NCAA  Reach Shannon Russell at slrussell@gannett.com and follow on Twitter @slrussell.