# Empire Classic

The Empire Classic is an annual college basketball event played in November at the beginning of the season and televised by ESPN. Originally known as the Atlantic City Shootout and produced by the Gazelle Group, Inc., the event was first played in 1995. The following year, it became the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic as a collaboration between the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society in an effort to raise funds for cancer research. In 2012, the tournament beneficiary became Wounded Warrior Project, resulting in the tournament being renamed the 2K Sports Classic. (A new annual college basketball tournament benefiting cancer research, also called the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic and hosted by the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, was held from 2012 to 2014.) In 2019, the 2K Sports Classic was renamed the 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project, commonly referred to as the "Empire Classic".

## History

The first two events were doubleheader showcases held at the Atlantic City Convention Center (now Boardwalk Hall). From 1997 through 2001, the event was played as a tournament. Princeton won the first tournament in 1997, which took place at Continental Airlines Arena in the New Jersey Meadowlands.
In 1998, the event moved to Madison Square Garden in New York City, where it remained through 2019. In both 2002 and 2003, it was played as a showcase doubleheader. In 2004, it became a tournament again, with a new format as a 16-team event with teams from 16 separate conferences. Four predetermined regional round hosts played two games at home and the winners play in the semifinals and finals at Madison Square Garden. Syracuse won the first tournament played in this format, beating Memphis, 77–62, in 2004.
In 2007, Gardner–Webb unexpectedly won at Kentucky, 84–68, and advanced to the semifinals at Madison Square Garden, preventing one of the tournament's marquee teams from playing there. To ensure that the marquee teams would play in the semifinals in the 2008 tournament, the semifinalists were predetermined, regardless of the results of the regional rounds. Beginning in 2009, the format was revised to a 12-team field and each team was guaranteed four games in the tournament, with the semifinalists advancing to Madison Square Garden and the remaining eight teams being split into two subregional tournaments played at predetermined campus sites.
In 2014, the tournament format changed again, with eight teams from eight separate conferences invited to the tournament. Two games were held at four different regional sites selected before the tournament. The semifinals and finals were held at Madison Square Garden and the remaining four teams played in a tournament format at a predetermined on-campus site. This format persisted through 2019.
With the COVID-19 pandemic raging in the United States during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, the Empire Classic was one of the very few multiteam events held during the fall of 2020. With no fans permitted to attend, it took place behind closed doors at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Only four teams participated. Baylor withdrew from it after head coach Scott Drew tested positive for COVID-19; Rhode Island replaced Baylor.
In 2021, the tournament format was dropped, and the Empire Classic took place as a showcase event at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. Four teams participated, and the event consisted of two doubleheaders played over the course of two days,
The 2024 Empire Classic will return to a showcase format with Maryland facing Villanova at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

### Yearly champions, runners-up, and MVPs

| Year | Winner | Score | Opponent | Tournament MVP | Other participants | Venue |
| 2024 | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Prudential Center, Newark, NJ |
| 2023 | UConn | 81–71 | Texas | Tristen Newton, UConn | Indiana, Louisville | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2022 | St. John's | 76–69 | Syracuse | André Curbelo, St. John's | Richmond, Temple | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY |
| 2021 | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV |
| 2020$^1$ | Villanova | 83–74 | Arizona State | Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova | Boston College, Rhode Island | Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT |
| 2019 | Duke | 81–73 | Georgetown | Vernon Carey Jr., Duke | Texas, California | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2018 | Iowa | 91–72 | Connecticut | Luka Garza, Iowa | Syracuse, Oregon | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2017 | Providence | 90–63 | Saint Louis | Kyron Cartwright, Providence | Virginia Tech, Washington | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2016 | Michigan | 76–54 | SMU | Zak Irvin, Michigan | Pittsburgh, Marquette | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2015 | Duke | 86–84 | Georgetown | Grayson Allen, Duke | Wisconsin, VCU | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2014 | Texas | 71–55 | California | Jonathan Holmes, Texas | Syracuse, Iowa | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2013 | Connecticut | 59–58 | Indiana | Shabazz Napier, Connecticut | Boston College, Washington | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2012 | Alabama | 77–55 | Villanova | Trevor Releford, Alabama | Oregon State, Purdue | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2011 | Mississippi State | 67–57 | Arizona | Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State | St. John's, Texas A&M | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2010 | Pittsburgh | 68–66 | Texas | Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh | Illinois, Maryland | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2009 | Syracuse | 87–71 | North Carolina | Wesley Johnson, Syracuse | California, Ohio State | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2008 | Duke | 71–56 | Michigan | Kyle Singler, Duke | UCLA, Southern Illinois | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2007 | Memphis | 81–70 | Connecticut | Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis | Gardner–Webb, Oklahoma | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2006 | Maryland | 62–60 | Michigan State | D. J. Strawberry, Maryland | St. John's, Texas | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2005 | Florida | 75–70 | Syracuse | Taurean Green, Florida | Texas Tech, Wake Forest | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2004 | Syracuse | 77–62 | Memphis | Hakim Warrick, Syracuse | Mississippi State, St. Mary's | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2003 | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2002 | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2001 | Arizona | 75–71 | Florida | Jason Gardner, Arizona | Maryland, Temple | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 2000 | Kansas | 82–74 | St. John's | Kenny Gregory, Kansas | Kentucky, UCLA | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 1999 | Stanford | 72–58 | Iowa | Jarron Collins, Stanford | Connecticut, Duke | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 1998 | Temple | 59–48 | Wake Forest | Lamont Barnes, Temple | Georgetown, Illinois | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| 1997 | Princeton | 38–36 | North Carolina State | Brian Earl, Princeton | Georgia, Texas | Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ |
| 1996 | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ |
| 1995 | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | Showcase Format – No Tournament | | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ |
$^1$Tournament held behind closed doors at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

#### Most Championships

| Championships | Teams |
| 3 | Duke (2008, 2015, 2019) |
| 2 | Syracuse (2004, 2009), UConn (2013, 2023) |
Updated through 2023 event.

#### Most appearances

| Appearances | Teams |
| 7 | Texas (1997, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2019, 2023), Syracuse (2002, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2014, 2018, 2022) |
| 5 | UConn (1999, 2007, 2013, 2018, 2023), St. John's (2000, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2022) |
| 4 | Marquette (1995, 2002, 2003, 2016), Temple (1996, 1998, 2001, 2022), Duke (1999, 2008, 2015, 2019), Memphis (2002, 2003, 2004, 2007), California (2004, 2009, 2014, 2019) |
| 3 | Georgetown (1998, 2015, 2019), Wake Forest (1998, 2003, 2005), Iowa (1999, 2014, 2018), UCLA (2000, 2008, 2021), Maryland (2001, 2006, 2010), Alabama (2002, 2003, 2012), Villanova (2002, 2012, 2020), Pittsburgh (2003, 2010, 2016), UC-Irvine (2005, 2010, 2013), Alcorn State (2006, 2009, 2014), Prairie View (2008, 2015, 2019) |
Updated through 2023 event.

## Participants and brackets

* – Denotes overtime period

### 1995

    Showcase Format – No Tournament
| Game 1 | Game 1 | Game 1 |
| Penn State | Penn State | 88 |
| Penn | Penn | 61 |
| Game 2 | Game 2 | Game 2 |
| La Salle | La Salle | 68 |
| Marquette | Marquette | 65 |

### 1996

    Showcase Format – No Tournament
| Game 1 | Game 1 | Game 1 |
| Temple | Temple | 76 |
| Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech | 58 |
| Game 2 | Game 2 | Game 2 |
| | Saint Joseph's | 67 |
| 21 | Tulsa | 64 |

### 1997

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| | NC State | 47 | | | |
| 19 | Georgia | 45 | | | |
| 19 | Georgia | 45 | Princeton | Princeton | 38 |
| | | | NC State | NC State | 36 |
| | Princeton | 62 | NC State | NC State | 36 |
| 22 | Texas | 56 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 19 | Georgia | 89 |
| | | | 22 | Texas | 87 |

### 1998

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| Wake Forest | Wake Forest | 75* | | | |
| Illinois | Illinois | 73 | | | |
| Illinois | Illinois | 73 | 7 | Temple | 59 |
| | | | | Wake Forest | 48 |
| 7 | Temple | 65 | | Wake Forest | 48 |
| | Georgetown | 49 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | Illinois | Illinois | 65 |
| | | | Georgetown | Georgetown | 50 |

### 1999

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| 13 | Stanford | 80* | | | |
| 10 | Duke | 79 | | | |
| 10 | Duke | 79 | 13 | Stanford | 72 |
| | | | | Iowa | 58 |
| | Iowa | 70 | | Iowa | 58 |
| 1 | Connecticut | 68 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 1 | Connecticut | 71 |
| | | | 10 | Duke | 66 |

### 2000

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| 7 | Kansas | 99 | | | |
| 17 | UCLA | 98 | | | |
| 17 | UCLA | 98 | 7 | Kansas | 82 |
| | | | | St. John's | 74 |
| | St. John's | 62 | | St. John's | 74 |
| 12 | Kentucky | 61 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 17 | UCLA | 97 |
| | | | 12 | Kentucky | 92 |

### 2001

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| | Arizona | 71 | | | |
| 2 | Maryland | 67 | | | |
| 2 | Maryland | 67 | | Arizona | 75 |
| | | | 6 | Florida | 71 |
| 6 | Florida | 72 | 6 | Florida | 71 |
| 16 | Temple | 64 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 2 | Maryland | 82 |
| | | | 16 | Temple | 74 |

### 2002

    Showcase Format – No Tournament
| Game 1 | Game 1 | Game 1 |
| Memphis | Memphis | 70 |
| Syracuse | Syracuse | 63 |
| Game 2 | Game 2 | Game 2 |
| 8 | Alabama | 68 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 62 |
| Game 3 | Game 3 | Game 3 |
| 18 | Marquette | 73 |
| | Villanova | 61 |
| Game 4 | Game 4 | Game 4 |
| 4 | Texas | 77 |
| 16 | Georgia | 71 |

### 2003

    Showcase Format – No Tournament
| Game 1 | Game 1 | Game 1 |
| 21 | Wake Forest | 85 |
| | Memphis | 76 |
| Game 2 | Game 2 | Game 2 |
| 23 | Marquette | 52 |
| | St. John's | 45 |
| Game 3 | Game 3 | Game 3 |
| 22 | Pittsburgh | 71 |
| | Alabama | 62 |
| Game 4 | Game 4 | Game 4 |
| 18 | Saint Joseph's | 73 |
| 12 | Gonzaga | 66 |

### 2004

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| 6 | Syracuse | 71 | | | |
| 14 | Mississippi State | 58 | | | |
| 14 | Mississippi State | 58 | 6 | Syracuse | 77 |
| | | | 23 | Memphis | 62 |
| 23 | Memphis | 81 | 23 | Memphis | 62 |
| | Saint Mary's | 66 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 14 | Mississippi State | 67 |
| | | | | Saint Mary's | 54 |

### 2005

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| 16 | Syracuse | 81 | | | |
| | Texas Tech | 46 | | | |
| | Texas Tech | 46 | | Florida | 75 |
| | | | 16 | Syracuse | 70 |
| | Florida | 77 | 16 | Syracuse | 70 |
| 18 | Wake Forest | 72 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 18 | Wake Forest | 78** |
| | | | | Texas Tech | 73 |

### 2006

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| | Michigan State | 63 | | | |
| 18 | Texas | 61 | | | |
| 18 | Texas | 61 | Maryland | Maryland | 62 |
| | | | Michigan State | Michigan State | 60 |
| Maryland | Maryland | 92 | Michigan State | Michigan State | 60 |
| St. John's | St. John's | 60 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 18 | Texas | 77 |
| | | | | St. John's | 66 |

### 2007

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| 3 | Memphis | 63 | | | |
| | Oklahoma | 53 | | | |
| | Oklahoma | 53 | 3 | Memphis | 81 |
| | | | | Connecticut | 70 |
| Connecticut | Connecticut | 78 | | Connecticut | 70 |
| Gardner–Webb | Gardner–Webb | 66 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | Oklahoma | Oklahoma | 69 |
| | | | Gardner–Webb | Gardner–Webb | 55 |

### 2008

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| | Michigan | 55 | | | |
| 4 | UCLA | 52 | | | |
| 4 | UCLA | 52 | 5 | Duke | 71 |
| | | | | Michigan | 56 |
| 5 | Duke | 83 | | Michigan | 56 |
| | Southern Illinois | 58 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 4 | UCLA | 77 |
| | | | | Southern Illinois | 60 |

### 2009

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| 24 | Syracuse | 95 | | | |
| 12 | California | 73 | | | |
| 12 | California | 73 | 24 | Syracuse | 87 |
| | | | 4 | North Carolina | 71 |
| 4 | North Carolina | 77 | 4 | North Carolina | 71 |
| 15 | Ohio State | 73 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 12 | California | 60 |
| | | | 15 | Ohio State | 76 |

### 2010

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| 4 | Pittsburgh | 79 | | | |
| | Maryland | 70 | | | |
| | Maryland | 70 | 4 | Pittsburgh | 68 |
| | | | 22 | Texas | 66 |
| 16 | Illinois | 84 | 22 | Texas | 66 |
| | Texas | 90* | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 16 | Illinois | 80 |
| | | | | Maryland | 76 |

### 2011

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| 18 | Texas A&M | 60 | | | |
| | Mississippi State | 69 | | | |
| | Mississippi State | 69 | | Mississippi State | 67 |
| | | | 16 | Arizona | 57 |
| | St. John's | 72 | 16 | Arizona | 57 |
| 16 | Arizona | 81 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 18 | Texas A&M | 58 |
| | | | | St. John's | 57 |

### 2012

| Semifinals November 15 ESPN2 | Semifinals November 15 ESPN2 | Semifinals November 15 ESPN2 | Championship November 16 ESPN2 | Championship November 16 ESPN2 | Championship November 16 ESPN2 |
| Alabama | Alabama | 65 | | | |
| Oregon State | Oregon State | 62 | | | |
| Oregon State | Oregon State | 62 | Alabama | Alabama | 77 |
| | | | Villanova | Villanova | 55 |
| Villanova | Villanova | 89* | Villanova | Villanova | 55 |
| Purdue | Purdue | 81 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | Oregon State | Oregon State | 66 |
| | | | Purdue | Purdue | 58 |

### 2013

| Semifinals November 21 ESPN2 | Semifinals November 21 ESPN2 | Semifinals November 21 ESPN2 | Championship November 22 ESPN2 | Championship November 22 ESPN2 | Championship November 22 ESPN2 |
| Indiana | Indiana | 102 | | | |
| Washington | Washington | 84 | | | |
| Washington | Washington | 84 | | Indiana | 58 |
| | | | 18 | Connecticut | 59 |
| 18 | Connecticut | 72 | 18 | Connecticut | 59 |
| | Boston College | 70 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | Washington | Washington | 78 |
| | | | Boston College | Boston College | 89 |

### 2014

| Semifinals November 20 ESPN2 | Semifinals November 20 ESPN2 | Semifinals November 20 ESPN2 | Championship November 21 ESPN2 | Championship November 21 ESPN2 | Championship November 21 ESPN2 |
| 10 | Texas | 71 | | | |
| | Iowa | 57 | | | |
| | Iowa | 57 | 10 | Texas | 71 |
| | | | | California | 55 |
| 23 | Syracuse | 59 | | California | 55 |
| | California | 73 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 23 | Syracuse | 66 |
| | | | | Iowa | 63 |

### 2015

| Semifinals November 20 ESPN2 | Semifinals November 20 ESPN2 | Semifinals November 20 ESPN2 | Championship November 22 ESPN | Championship November 22 ESPN | Championship November 22 ESPN |
| 5 | Duke | 79 | | | |
| | VCU | 71 | | | |
| | VCU | 71 | 5 | Duke | 86 |
| | | | | Georgetown | 84 |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin | 61 | | Georgetown | 84 |
| Georgetown | Georgetown | 71 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | VCU | VCU | 73 |
| | | | Wisconsin | Wisconsin | 74 |

### 2016

| Semifinals November 17 | Semifinals November 17 | Semifinals November 17 | Championship November 18 | Championship November 18 | Championship November 18 |
| Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh | 67 | | | |
| SMU | SMU | 76 | | | |
| SMU | SMU | 76 | SMU | SMU | 54 |
| | | | Michigan | Michigan | 76 |
| Michigan | Michigan | 79 | Michigan | Michigan | 76 |
| Marquette | Marquette | 61 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh | 78 |
| | | | Marquette | Marquette | 75 |

### 2017

| Semifinals November 16 ESPN2 | Semifinals November 16 ESPN2 | Championship November 17 ESPN2 | Championship November 17 ESPN2 | Championship November 17 ESPN2 |
| Providence | 77 | | | |
| Washington | 70 | | | |
| Washington | 70 | | Providence | 90 |
| | | | Saint Louis | 63 |
| Virginia Tech | 71 | | Saint Louis | 63 |
| Saint Louis | 77 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | Washington | 79 |
| | | | Virginia Tech | 103 |
| Nashville Subregional Semifinals November 18 | Nashville Subregional Semifinals November 18 | Championship November 19 | Championship November 19 | Championship November 19 |
| Seattle | 102 | | | |
| Detroit Mercy | 71 | | | |
| Detroit Mercy | 71 | | Seattle | 77 |
| | | | Belmont | 90 |
| Houston Baptist | 88 | | Belmont | 90 |
| Belmont | 93 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | Detroit Mercy | 116 |
| | | | Houston Baptist | 109 |

### 2018

| Semifinals November 15 ESPN2 | Semifinals November 15 ESPN2 | Semifinals November 15 ESPN2 | Championship November 16 ESPN2 | Championship November 16 ESPN2 | Championship November 16 ESPN2 |
| | Connecticut | 83 | | | |
| 15 | Syracuse | 76 | | | |
| 15 | Syracuse | 76 | | Connecticut | 72 |
| | | | | Iowa | 91 |
| | Iowa | 77 | | Iowa | 91 |
| 13 | Oregon | 69 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 15 | Syracuse | 65 |
| | | | 13 | Oregon | 80 |
| Cheney Subregional Semifinals November 16 | Cheney Subregional Semifinals November 16 | Championship November 17 | Championship November 17 | Championship November 17 |
| Morehead State | 99 | | | |
| UMKC | 89 | | | |
| UMKC | 89 | | Morehead State | 70 |
| | | | Green Bay | 87 |
| Green Bay | 82* | | Green Bay | 87 |
| Eastern Washington | 78 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | UMKC | 80 |
| | | | Eastern Washington | 87$^{OT}$ |

### 2019

| Semifinals November 21 ESPN2 | Semifinals November 21 ESPN2 | Semifinals November 21 ESPN2 | Championship November 22 ESPN2 | Championship November 22 ESPN2 | Championship November 22 ESPN2 |
| | Georgetown | 82 | | | |
| 22 | Texas | 66 | | | |
| 22 | Texas | 66 | | Georgetown | 73 |
| | | | 1 | Duke | 81 |
| 1 | Duke | 87 | 1 | Duke | 81 |
| | California | 52 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | 22 | Texas | 62 |
| | | | | California | 45 |
| Riverside Subregional Semifinals November 22 | Riverside Subregional Semifinals November 22 | Championship November 23 | Championship November 23 | Championship November 23 |
| Georgia State | 83 | | | |
| Prairie View A&M | 74 | | | |
| Prairie View A&M | 74 | | Georgia State | 69 |
| | | | California Baptist | 60 |
| Central Arkansas | 98 | | California Baptist | 60 |
| California Baptist | 104** | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | Prairie View A&M | 78 |
| | | | Central Arkansas | 72 |

### 2020

The 2020 tournament was held November 25–26 behind closed doors at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut as a result of COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions.
| Semifinals November 25 ESPN | Semifinals November 25 ESPN | Semifinals November 25 ESPN | Championship November 26 ESPN | Championship November 26 ESPN | Championship November 26 ESPN |
| 3 | Villanova | 76 | | | |
| | Boston College | 67 | | | |
| | Boston College | 67 | 3 | Villanova | 83 |
| | | | 18 | Arizona State | 74 |
| | Rhode Island | 88 | 18 | Arizona State | 74 |
| 18 | Arizona State | 94 | Consolation | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | | | Boston College | 69 |
| | | | | Rhode Island | 64 |

### 2021

The top two teams in the country, Gonzaga and UCLA, headlined the 27th annual Empire Classic, held at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 22 and 23. Joining them were Central Michigan and Bellarmine. The format reverted to a showcase event.
    Showcase Format – No Tournament
| November 22, 2021 | November 22, 2021 | November 22, 2021 |
| 2 | UCLA | 75 |
| | Bellarmine | 62 |
| November 22, 2021 | November 22, 2021 | November 22, 2021 |
| 1 | Gonzaga | 107 |
| | Central Michigan | 54 |
| November 23, 2021 | November 23, 2021 | November 23, 2021 |
| 2 | UCLA | 63 |
| 1 | Gonzaga | 83 |
| November 23, 2021 | November 23, 2021 | November 23, 2021 |
| | Bellarmine | 76 |
| | Central Michigan | 69 |

### 2022

The tournament took place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on November 21 and 22, 2022.
Game recaps:
| Semifinals November 21 ESPN2/ESPNU | Semifinals November 21 ESPN2/ESPNU | Championship November 22 ESPN2 | Championship November 22 ESPN2 |
| Syracuse | 74* | | |
| Richmond | 71 | | |
| Richmond | 71 | Syracuse | 69 |
| | | St. John's | 76* |
| St. John's | 78 | St. John's | 76* |
| Temple | 72 | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | Richmond | 61 |
| | | Temple | 49 |

### 2023

The tournament took place on November 19 and 20, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York.
| Semifinals November 19 ESPN2/ESPNU | Semifinals November 19 ESPN2/ESPNU | Championship November 20 ESPN2 | Championship November 20 ESPN2 |
| No. 5 UConn | 77 | | |
| Indiana | 57 | | |
| Indiana | 57 | No. 5 UConn | 81 |
| | | No. 15 Texas | 71 |
| No. 19 Texas | 81 | No. 15 Texas | 71 |
| Louisville | 80 | Consolation | Consolation |
| | | Indiana | 74 |
| | | Louisville | 66 |

### 2024

Villanova and Maryland will square off in the Showcase Game of the 2024 Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project on November 24, 2024 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
    Showcase Format – No Tournament
| November 24, 2024 Prudential Center Newark, New Jersey | November 24, 2024 Prudential Center Newark, New Jersey |
| Villanova | 75 |
| Maryland | 76 |