A look inside scheduling and how Tetris is helping

One of the most frequently asked questions we get at BAM Jam is "When will the tournament schedule be out?"

Typically, the BAM Jam schedules will be out the Thursday before the tournament starts. We post it online and separate it by the bracket type and court.

But the next question is usually "How do you create the schedule?"

Scheduling BAM Jam teams is a bit
like playing a game of Tetris

Scheduling is kind of like a big puzzle with moving pieces and limited space and time. 

Think Tetris. 

Tentative schedule for BAM Jam's Saturday and Sunday

The following is a TENTATIVE schedule of events to give you an idea of how the BAM Jam tournament will unfold.

Saturday, March 17
Ideally, each team will play two games on Saturday starting in the morning. This isn't guaranteed but as the bracketing process continues that is the goal.

Through out Saturday, shooters can qualify for the finals of the Jackson & Jackson Insurance 3-Point Challenge, located upstairs in the east gym at the Borah Sports Complex. The top finalists will qualify for the finals.

If you are interested in participating in the Powerade Slam Dunk Championship you will be able to sign up on Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday, March 18
Games will continue through out the day with the majority of championship games finishing up at 5:00 PM. Not all games will finish at that time but, again, this is our goal.

The Power Hour, which includes the Powerade Slam Dunk Championship, the Jackson & Jackson Insurance 3-Point Challenge and other items, will likely be Sunday morning. More information will be available closer to the start of the event. Remember, anyone is welcome to participate in these special events. This is something you'll definitely want to be sure to either participate in or at lease check out.   

Brackets are now available

CLICK HERE or go to www.idahoselect.org/brackets.shtml to see this year's brackets.

Clinic of Champions, Game Times, Team Check In, Player Changes

A couple of reminders:

The Clinic of Champions is Wednesday night from 6-8pm and will be at Timberline HS outdoor courts. This clinic is for players looking for inside strategies from guys that have won major 3 on 3 tournaments. All the details are available by CLICKING HERE.

Brackets are being finalized and should be available sometime on Wednesday. A link to the brackets will be posted here on the BAM Jam website (under the "News" link) or you can go www.idahoselect.org/brackets.shtml. The earliest games start is 5:00 PM on Friday.

Team Check In is Thursday evening at The Sports Authority on Milwaukee from 4-8pm. It is mandatory that at least one team representative check their team in. Teams will get the most up to date brackets, their shirts and can take their shot at winning a new 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. All the details can be found by CLICKING HERE. Anyone can come down and it is going to be a lot of fun!

If your team needs to make a change due to injury, sickness, travel, change of plans or whatever you need to use the BAM Jam Player Change Form, available for download under the "Play" link on the BAM Jam website.

This year's Fast Eddy's BAM Jam is the biggest yet! We can't wait for the weekend!

Team Check In Information

This year's team check in will take place at The Sports Authority parking lot, located at 1301 N. Milwaukee in Boise. It will be on Thursday, August 5 from 4-8pm. More details will come as we get closer to the event. This is mandatory for all teams to attend, though you can send just one team representative if you would like. At check in you will get updated brackets, your team's t-shirts plus a coupon package worth over $100. You can also make last minute player changes as well (see the details on the official Player Change form here for restrictions). We recommend bringing the entire team and your family.

This year, we are turning the team check in into more of a festival for participants, fans and family. There will be fun things for the whole family, including a chance to win a new 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 from Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Also at the check in there will be a preliminary round of the Mybullfrog 3-Point Challenge.

Plus, there going to be music and some great food.

More event details

Here's how things are shaping up for this year's tournament. All teams will get a 3 game guarantee and after that it depends on how long you keep winning. Every team member will also get a BAM Jam participant t-shirt and each team will be receiving a team packet with all kinds of cool free stuff and coupons for discounts.

Games for each bracket will start at 5:00 PM on Friday, August 6 and will finish around 9:00 PM. We will start up again with games on Saturday at 8:00 AM and the final games will wrap up around 6:00 PM.

The Idaho Trust Bank Center Court will feature elite games all tournament long. On Saturday there will also be the MyBullFrog 3-point Shootout, the Powerade Slam Dunk Championship and the Larry Miller 1/2 court truck giveaway. More details will be coming soon on these.

And we are proud to announce that Fast Eddy's will again be our title sponsor. If you recall, Fast Eddy's sponsored last spring's BAM Jam (check out this video from STADIA TV, Click Here).

If you having yet registered your team, you will want to get that done ASAP. Normal registration closes July 30.  Team check in will be on Thursday, August 5 likely from 4-8pm at Sports Authority in Boise off of Milwaukee.

2010 Spring Schedule of Events

Here's what is going on at Taco Bell Arena, March 13, 2010 (along with all the 3 on 3 basketball games) 

Jackson & Jackson 3-point Shootout - Come show off your long range skills at the Jackson & Jackson 3-point Shootout. We will be qualifying players through out the day up until the championship rounds, which will start around 2pm at the Fast Eddy's Center Court. The top 8 players will have a chance to shoot off for great prizes and be crowned the Jackson & Jackson 3-point Champion! It's only $2 to enter and you can enter as many times as you want. Proceeds go to player scholarships.

Slam Dunk Competition - Also at the Fast Eddy's Center Court and will feature some of the highest fliers in the valley! Competition will likely start around 2pm and anyone can enter. Contact Clint Hordemann at clint@idahoselect.org for more details. Winner will get great prizes including gear from STADIA Clothing. Check out YouTube videos from last year, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXxvKq8zPds.

Washington Trust Player's Lounge - Looking for a place to hang out between games? Want to catch up on NCAA action? Need to grab a meal or snack? You are invited to check out the Washington Trust Player's Lounge located near Lobby 4. They will have TVs, food and will be doing a free drawing for anyone that wants to win basketballs, clothes, gear and other great prizes.

NCAA Basketball - It's conference tournament week with the culmination this weekend. We will have all the action on the big screen JumboTron and in the Washington Trust Player's Lounge. Check out this schedule, which is just the tip of the iceberg:
Saturday, March 13
10 a.m. ESPN2 America East: Championship
11 a.m. ABC SEC Tournament: Semifinal 1
11:30 a.m. ESPN ACC: Semifinal 1
12 noon ESPN2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference: Championship
1 p.m. ABC SEC Tournament: Semifinal 2
2 p.m. ESPN ACC: Semifinal 2
2 p.m. ESPN2 Southland Conference: Championship
4 p.m. ESPN Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship: Championship
4 p.m. ESPN2 Mid American Conference: Championship
6 p.m. ESPN2 Big West Conference: Championship
6:30 p.m. ESPNU SWAC: Championship
7 p.m. ESPN BIG EAST Championship: Championship
8 p.m. ESPN2 Western Athletic Conference: Championship

Team Check In / Player Changes

To all teams:

You should be receiving an email with the subject "BAM Jam Schedule" from Vince. In there is your Team Number. You will need this number to check in.

If you do not have this email, please do the following before sending an email:

1. Check your email inbox
2. Check your spam or junk folder (it may have gotten bumped in there)
3. Check with your teammates. For some reason, the email may have been sent to them. If they can't find it have them check their spam or junk folders

If none of these things lead to the email, send an email to info@idahoselect.org.

Team check in will take place at the Piper Pub in downtown Boise, 150 N. 8th Street. Check in is required and is where you will receive your team's bracket and t-shirts. You may check in either Thursday from 4-9pm or Friday from 11am-1pm.

Player changes are available. We know that plans change or injuries happen close to the start of the tournament and this is why we have made available the Player Change Form. Only fully completed Player Change Forms will be accepted. These can be found by rolling your mouse over the "Play" link above and clicking on "Player Change" when it drops down. Or just Click Here.

Schedule of Events

This weekend, downtown Boise will feature the best basketball in the northwest. But to maximize your fun and entertainment, here is a schedule of events that you will want to check out.

Idaho Trust Bank Center Court (intersection of Broad and 8th Street)
Friday, August 7
5:00-7:30 PM - Elite Games
7:30-8:00 PM - Youth Slam Dunk Competition
8:00-9:00 PM - Elite Games

Saturday, August 8
8:00-9:00 AM - Elite Games
9:00-9:30 AM - Mascot Game (features local sports mascots!)
9:30-11:30 AM - Elite Games
12:00-3:00 PM - Elite Games
3:00-4:00 PM - Gatorade Slam Dunk Competition and 3-Point Shootout
4:00-5:30 PM - Elite Championship Games

U.S. Marines Youth Center Court (intersection of Fulton and 8th Street)
Friday, August 7
5:00-8:30 PM - High School Elite Games
8:30-9:00 PM - 3-Point Shootout Semi-final

Saturday, August 8
8:00-10:00 AM - High School Elite Games
10:00-10:30 AM - XTreme Cheer Performance
10:30-11:30 AM - High School Elite Games
11:30-12:00 PM - 3-Point Shootout Semi-final
12:00-2:30 PM - High School Elite Games
2:30-3:00 PM - 3-Point Shootout Semi-final
4:00-5:30 PM - High School Elite Championship Games