February 19 Wildcard Matchups Announced by ESPN
MAAC Sports
EDISON, NJ – ESPN has announced the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball wildcard matchups for Friday, February 19. On ESPNU, Monmouth University hosts Iona College at the Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC) at 10:00 p.m., while on ESPN3, Rider University will welcome Siena College to Alumni Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m.
The Hawks (7-2) and Gaels (7-3) are both currently in first and third place in the MAAC standings respectively. Monmouth is coming off of a 2-1 week after knocking off Siena and Marist at home, while checking in at 37th nationally in this week’s RPI ratings. Iona has dropped its last three of four contest after starting conference play 6-0. In the first meeting between the two on January 15, Monmouth outlasted Iona, 110-102, despite a 45 point output by Iona’s A.J. English. In the game, the Hawks were led by Justin Robinson who scored 29 points in 29 minutes including a 12-for-12 performance from the charity stripe.
The Broncs and Saints met for the first time this season just six days ago on January 21, where Siena pulled out a, 63-52, victory over Rider. Rider (3-6) currently sits in eighth place in the MAAC and has won three of its last four outings with the lone loss coming to Siena during that stretch. Siena (6-3) is currently in fourth place in the league with all three losses coming to teams in the top five of the conference.
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.