Davidson to play in Holiday Festival in New York with St. John’s, Cornell, Hofstra

Davidson to play in Holiday Festival in New York

DAVIDSON, N.C. — Davidson coach Bob McKillop will make his homecoming next season when the Wildcats play in the Holiday Festival in New York.

McKillop said Tuesday that Davidson will open against Cornell on Dec. 20 at Madison Square Garden, while St. John’s faces Hofstra. The winners and losers meet a night later.

McKillop was born in Queens, went to high school on Long Island and played basketball at Hofstra. He later coached high school basketball on Long Island.

This is the second straight year the Wildcats will play at Madison Square Garden — but the first without Stephen Curry. Davidson beat West Virginia 68-65 last season behind Curry’s 27 points.

Curry has turned pro. He is expected to be selected early in Thursday’s NBA draft.