Puerto Rico opener a big game

The University of Massachusetts' first game in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Tournament could have a significant impact on the Minutemen's NCAA Tournament aspirations.
UMass will open against Providence on Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU. It'll play either the winner of loser of the earlier game between North Carolina State and Penn State Friday at either 5 or 7:30 p.m.
In the other half of the bracket, Akron will face Oklahoma State, while UNC Asheville will face Tennessee.
UMass will get one of the first looks at PC freshman phenom Ricardo Ledo, who leads a Friar recruiting class that appears to have PC poised to rise in the Big East.
If the Minutemen could beat the Friars, they'd likely get a shot at the Wolfpack, which ESPN ranked No. 6 in its summer top 25.
While a win over NC State would be huge, even a loss would help the Minutemen's strength of schedule. The third place game (barring upsets) would be against either Oklahoma State or Tennessee which would also help UMass' schedule strength.
That's a lot of if's there, but if UMass has NCAA Tournament aspirations, getting in the winners bracket could pay dividends in March.