Akoon-Purcell & Washpun in Dunk Competition

CHICAGO (February 10, 2016) – Intersport, producers of the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships, today announced first round voting for the 2016 State Farm “Dark Horse Dunker” competition is now open through Feb. 17. The 16-player field is stocked with under-the-radar players who possess the power, creativity and hops to compete against college basketball’s stars in the College Slam Dunk Championship. Fans will determine the winner by voting daily atDarkHorseDunker.com throughout the four-week competition.

Wes Washpun and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell represent the MVC.

“Over its 27 editions, the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships have become the benchmark for skills events,” said Drew Russell, vice president of Owned Properties at Intersport. “Through the first five years of the program, the State Farm ‘Dark Horse Dunker’ winner has gone on to win the College Slam Dunk Championship three times. This fan element has really added electricity to the whole event.”

The State Farm “Dark Horse Dunker” contest is a digital media contest that will match up 16 of the top college dunkers in a bracket-style competition to determine the final participant in the Slam Dunk Championship. Fans can vote for their favorite players using an interactive bracket by entering DarkHorseDunker.com. The athlete with the most votes in each matchup will move on to the next round.

Video highlight reels of each competitor on the web site will help fans determine their choice. Voting begins today (Feb. 10) atnoon CT and concludes March 9 at 11:59 a.m. CT. The schedule for each voting round will go as follows:

•Round One: Feb. 10 – 17 (16 Players)
•Quarterfinals: Feb. 17 – 24 (8 Players)
•Semifinals: Feb. 24 – March 2 (4 Players)
•Finals: March 2 – 9 (2 Players)
•Winner Announcement: March 10

The player that ultimately receives the most votes in the final round will be selected to compete in the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships, an event featuring some of the best college dunkers and three-point shooters in the country, held annually in the Final Four host city. The 2016 State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships will air live on ESPN during Final Four weekend at 9 p.m. ET on March 31 in Houston.

The 16 “Dark Horse Dunkers” participating in the contest were selected by a committee representing the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships. A complete bracket with matchup details can be found on DarkHorseDunker.com.

The Round One matchups are:

· Richard McCalop (University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma) vs. Anthony Selby (Kutztown)
· Jarrett Ruffin (Mount Union) vs. Dwaun Anderson (Wagner)
· Tanner Plomb (Army West Point) vs. Michael Hardge (Tarleton State)
· Brandon Conley (Oral Roberts) vs. DeVaughn Akoon -Purcell (Illinois State)
· Chuks Iroegbu (Northern Illinois) vs. Dom Williams (Indiana University East)
· Yunio Barrueta (Barry) vs. John Brown (High Point)
· Chris Waller (Southwestern College) vs. Javonte Byrd (Northwest Christian)
· Mario Moody (Bethune-Cookman) vs. Wes Washpun (Northern Iowa)

Previous State Farm “Dark Horse Dunker” winners include Davene Carter (Tarleton State) and Antjuan Ball (West Texas A&M) in 2015, Marcus Lewis (Eastern Kentucky) in 2014, Corey Law (High Point) in 2013, James Justice (Martin Methodist College) in 2012, and Jacob Tucker (Illinois College) in 2011. Lewis, Justice and Tucker all went on to win the College Slam Dunk Championship.

For more information about the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships go to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@CollegeSLAM).

Editor: This is a press release from the Missouri Valley Conference.