MAAC Opens 2011-2012 Men's Basketball Schedule on Friday
MAAC Sports
Edison, N.J. - The MAAC will begin its 2011-2012 men's basketball season this weekend, starting with five games on Friday, Nov. 11.
The first game on Friday will feature Fairfield University against Quinnipiac University in the Connecticut 6 Classic. Game time is slated for 5:30 p.m. at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Marist College will take on the University of Kentucky as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off at Rupp Arena at 7:00 p.m., live on ESPN3 and Fox Sports South. Loyola University Maryland will also have its season opener featured on ESPN3 when they travel to Wake Forest University for a 7:00 p.m. tilt. Two more MAAC teams will start their seasons on the road - Rider University at Robert Morris University and Saint Peter's College at the University at Buffalo - with start times set at 7:00 p.m.
The lone game on Saturday, Nov. 12 will feature Manhattan College hosting NJIT for a 2:00 p.m. contest at Draddy Gymnasium.
Rounding out the weekend is a pair of games on Sunday, Nov. 13. Canisius College will take on James Madison University at 4:00 p.m. Rider will close out the day, playing at the University of Pittsburgh as part of the Philly Hoop Group Classic at 6:00 p.m., which can be seen on ESPN3.
In addition to Marist, several schools are also involved in touraments in the first month of college basketball. Manhattan will represent the MAAC in the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off. The Jaspers will take on host Syracuse University in the North Regional on Nov. 14 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPNU. They will either play the University at Albany or Brown University on Nov. 15. The winners of each of the four regionals will play at Madison Square Garden Nov. 23 and 25 for the championship.
Iona College will begin their season in San Juan in the 5-hour ENERGY® Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Gaels will face Purdue University on Nov. 17 at 1:00 p.m. on ESPNU. The Maroon and Gold will then go up against either Temple University or Western Michigan University on Nov. 18, while the final round of games will take place on Nov. 20.
Niagara University will participate in the 2011 Progressive CBE Classic. The Purple Eagles will travel to the University of Missouri on Nov. 17 for an 8:00 p.m. tilt in the Columbia Regional, which can be seen on ESPN Full Court, ESPN3 and MSN. Niagara will then play at the Macon Subregional Nov. 21-23 against South Dakota St., Mercer and Sam Houston St.
Fairfield is this year's MAAC representative in the Old Spice Classic. The Stags will first play Arizona St. on Thanksgiving Day at 9:30 p.m., live on ESPN2. Fairfield will then face either the University of Dayton or Wake Forest University on Nov. 25, and compete in their final contest of the tournament on Nov. 27.
In addition, Siena College kicks off their 2011-12 season on Nov. 16 when they host the U.S. Naval Academy at the Times Union Center. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m., and it can be seen on ESPN3 and ESPN Full Court.