NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men’s basketball team will play at the Vermont Catamounts in the 10th annual Sears BracketBusters on either February 18 or 19 announced today on ESPNU.

The Purple Eagles (9-14, 4-7 MAAC) have won five straight in the series and are 5-2 in the event since first participating during the 2004-05 season.

Vermont, the defending America East Regular Season Champion, has won four America East Conference tournaments and has four NCAA Tournament appearances with the most recent coming in 2010. The Catamounts are currently 13-10 and are second place in the conference with a 7-2 record. This will be the third meeting against an America East school this season; Niagara defeated Hartford and UMBC in December.

Niagara leads the all-time series with Vermont, 15-2.

All-Time Record In BracketBusters (5-2)
2011 – Central Michigan 55, Niagara 61
2010 – Niagara 85, Milwaukee 79
2009 – Illinois State 56, Niagara 70
2008 – Niagara 76, Appalachian State 75
2007 – Liberty 81, Niagara 90
2006 – Niagara 82, Valparaiso 88
2005 – Niagara 68, Akron 74

About Sears BracketBusters
The Sears BracketBusters concept, named because of the success of participating teams from these conferences in NCAA Tournament play through the years, provides programs with an opportunity to play top non-conference opponents roughly three weeks before Selection Sunday. Each conference selects its participating teams before the season, and the matchups for the event are determined by ESPN in conjunction with the conferences. Sears BracketBusters is an example of ESPN college basketball franchise programming. Others include Rivalry Week, Feast Week Presented by Lowe’s, Holiday Hoops Presented by Kay Jewelers and Judgment Week and Championship Week Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods.