ESPN Announces MAAC Wildcard Games for February 12
MAAC Sports
EDISON, NJ – ESPN has announced the first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball wildcard matchups for Friday, February 12. On ESPNU, Rider University welcomes Monmouth University to Alumni Gymnasium at 9:00 p.m. On ESPN3, Saint Peter’s will host Niagara.
The Hawks and Broncs will meet for the first time in the 2015-16 season. Rider is coming off a thrilling double overtime, 102-100 victory over Marist. Teddy Okereafor finished with 38 points, 8 assists and seven rebounds in the win. He broke a 27 year old MAAC record for most free throws made and also set the record in free throws attempted. Rider recorded its first MAAC win of the season with the win over Marist.
Monmouth sits in second place in the MAAC with a 4-1 conference record heading into tonight’s matchup with first place Iona at 9:00 p.m. on ESPNU. The Hawks are led by Justin Robinson who is second in the MAAC with 20.1 points per game. Rider and Monmouth meeting on February 12 will be the first of two games between the two New Jersey schools in the “hOUR-glass rivalry.”
The Peacocks welcome the Purple Eagles to the Yanitelli Center on February 12 after the Purple Eagles defeated the Peacocks on January 7 by a score of 63-61. Saint Peter’s is currently tied with Monmouth for second place with a 4-1 conference record. Niagara is 3-3 in MAAC play.
The MAAC telecast schedule features an all-time high of 13 wildcard games during the 2015-16 season. The wildcard format allows ESPN to pick any game on schedule for the selected date to air on the designated platform (ESPN2, ESPNU, or ESPN3). ESPN will announce which game has been selected for the wildcard telecast 21 days out. The format enables the MAAC and ESPN flexibility to showcase the best possible matchups.
The 2015-16 MAAC season culminates at the 2016 MAAC Basketball Championships, March 3-7, at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York. The 2016 MAAC Championship title game will take place on Monday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m. and will air live on ESPN with the winner earning the leagues automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
For more information on MAAC men’s basketball, visits maacsports.com and remember to follow the conversation on social media using #MAACHoops and #MAAC35.