MARIETTA, Ohio — The fourth annual edition of the Great Lakes Invitational will return to its birthplace as Marietta College will again serve as host for the premier regular season event in NCAA Division III men's basketball. After hosting the inaugural Invitational in 2017, Ban Johnson Arena will welcome the 2020 tournament the weekend of November 20-21.

The brainchild of Ryan Whitnable, a Marietta College alum and creator of the This Week in Great Lakes Basketball Podcast, the Invitational will bring together eight nationally prominent programs for two days of NCAA Tournament-caliber games.

"I'm ecstatic to bring the Great Lakes Invitational back to Marietta College," Whitnable said. "Ban Johnson Arena was a wonderful host of the first Great Lakes Invite and will again provide an incredible atmosphere and backdrop to this event."

The tournament field includes four teams from the Great Lakes Region and four from around the country. Representing the Great Lakes Region will be Marietta College, La Roche University, Wabash College and Wilmington College.

The remaining four teams include Emory University (Ga.), Randolph-Macon College (Va.), two-time National Champion University of St. Thomas (Minn.) and Whitman College (Wash.).

"We are excited to being the Great Lakes Invitational back to Marietta and Ban Johnson Arena," Marietta head coach Jon VanderWal said. "The tournament field is impressive with six teams winning over 20 games last year including four NCAA Tournament teams, two Sweet 16 and one Elite Eight team."

The Invitational will feature four games each day. The final game schedule will be released at a later date with other tournament information including tickets and streaming information. This Week in Great Lakes Basketball can be found HERE.

"As the crown jewel event of the Division III calendar, the Great Lakes Invitational has once again put together the best field of basketball programs from across the country," Whitnable said. "Normally reserved for the final weekends of the NCAA Tournament, fans will see matchups of the nation's top teams in a jam-packed two-day slate of games."

What participating coaches are saying about the Great Lakes Invitational:

"Emory basketball is excited about competing at next year's Great Lakes Invitational. We are looking forward to the challenge of competing against premier programs in a first-class basketball environment. We would like to thank Ryan Whitnable and Marietta College for extending the invitation to be part of this great event."

Jason Zimmerman, Head Coach
Emory University


"The RedHawks are very excited to be welcomed back to the Great Lakes Invitational. Our trip to Hope last year for this event was something we never imagined for La Roche University. We just feel blessed to have the opportunity to play some of the top Division III programs and look to step on the floor and represent La Roche at our highest level."

Hermie Carmichael, Head Coach
La Roche University


"We are grateful for the opportunity and invitation to play against some of the nation's top programs. Marietta is a great venue, and this is a tremendous field of teams. Seeking out quality competition brings out our best and has been a big part of our success. We are excited about being able to see live some of the nation's best teams and it will be a great event of which to be a part."

Josh Merkel, Head Coach
Randolph-Macon College


"We are thrilled to return to the Great Lakes Invitational in 2020-21. Our participation in the inaugural GLI was an outstanding one. Over the years, we have relished the opportunity to play non-conference games against top teams from around the country. The GLI is unique in the quality of teams and the support from Marietta College and its community. We look forward to competing and learning from some of the best student-athletes and coaches that Division III has to offer next season at Marietta!"

Johnny Tauer, Head Coach
University of St. Thomas


"We are very excited to be part of the 2020 Great Lakes Invitational. This will be an opportunity for us to measure against some of the best teams in Great Lakes region and around the country. Ryan Whitnable has a passion for Division III basketball, and has followed the Great Lakes region for a long time. We are grateful that he has included us in the field."

Kyle Brummett, Head Coach
Wabash College


"Ryan Whitnable has built the GLI into one of the premier D3 events in the country. Marietta was one of our stops on our way to the Final Four a couple years ago. We are very excited to be invited to such an elite gathering of programs."

Eric Bridgeland, Head Coach
Whitman College


"We are very excited to play in the premier event in the Great Lakes region next season. It is always our goal to play great non-conference competition and this of course meets that criteria. This is a great opportunity for our program."

K.C. Hunt, Head Coach
Wilmington College