Hall of Fame

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Niagara men's basketball program will play in the 2015 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament announced Wednesday by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
 
The annual NCAA men's exempt tournament sponsored by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will take place Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut highlighted by eight schools in two four-team brackets with campus round games taking place around the Mohegan Sun Arena schedule.
 
"The Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun has become one of the most acclaimed collegiate tournaments in the month of November" said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "Of the teams who participated in 2014, four of them made it to the NCAA Tournament. We hope this competitive atmosphere will serve as a stepping-stone for the teams contending this year as well."

Niagara will be joined by Big 4 rival Buffalo, Florida, North Carolina A&T, Old Dominion, Purdue, Saint Joseph's and Vermont in this year's field.
 
Niagara begins its portion of the tournament at Old Dominion on Nov. 13, followed by a trip to Saint Joseph's on Nov. 15, before the tournament moves to the Mohegan Sun Arena on Nov. 21 and 22.
 
The Purple Eagles will be in the Springfield Bracket with Buffalo, North Carolina A&T and Vermont.  NU opens against Vermont on Saturday and will play in either the Springfield Bracket consolation game or championship game on Sunday against Buffalo or North Carolina A&T.
 
"Our team looks forward to playing in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament," head coach Chris Casey said. "The event has a history of outstanding teams and great competition, which will prepare us well for a difficult conference schedule."
 
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will continue to serve as the host conference for the annual event. The MAAC has developed a strong partnership with the Basketball Hall of Fame, including the addition of a MAAC exhibit in the Hall of Fame museum in Springfield, Massachusetts.
 
For ticket information, contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office at 716-286-8499 (TIXX).

Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for men's basketball updates at @NiagaraMBB. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles. 

Team Schedule
Saturday Nov 21
Niagara vs Vermont - 5:00 PM
 
Sunday Nov 22 
Niagara vs North Carolina A&T/Buffalo Loser - 2:30 PM (If Niagara loses Sat.)
or
Niagara vs North Carolina A&T/Buffalo Winner - 8:00 PM (If Niagara wins Sat.)
 
Ticket Calendar
Exclusive pre-sale opportunity for participating schools (password protected section/see below):
May 6, 10:00 AM - September 4
 
General Public on-sale
Friday September 11 - 10:00 AM
 
Mohegan Sun Arena Seating Chart
 
Ticket Pricing (price is per day - 4 games each day)
 
Courtside - $125 (limited)
Lower Level Sideline - $60
Lower Level End Zone - $20
Upper Level - $20
 
Niagara Section/Password/Links
Niagara has been assigned section 22
Pre-sale PW:  Purpleeagles
Only seats in section 22 will be available during school pre-sale
 

Notes
Niagara participated in the Hall of Fame Tournament one previous time…Niagara opened its 1975-76 season at the Hall of Fame Tournament in Springfield, Mass. against Fairfield (W, 83-78) and UMass (L, 92-81)…The Purple Eagles have faced the Old Dominion Monarchs once in program history, losing 90-82 on Nov. 25, 1977…NU leads the all-time series with Saint Joseph's, 2-1, but the programs haven't played since the 1971-72 season…Niagara holds a commanding 16-3 series lead over Vermont, including winning 13 straight from 1983-89...Niagara leads the all-time series against UB, 56-31…NU and North Carolina A&T have never played each other.
 
About Mohegan Sun:
Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won "Casino of The Year" at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted "Arena Of The Year" at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Also in 2013, Mohegan Sun won "Casino of The Year" in 2 categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events at Mohegan Sun, visit mohegansun.com. For information on this week's schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.
 
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate and high school, for both men and women on the global stage.