Thursday, May 21, 2015

North Carolina A&T To Face Florida, Purdue and Buffalo in Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2015 Tip-Off Tournament

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the field of teams and brackets for the 2015 Tip-Off Tournament. The annual NCAA men’s exempt tournament sponsored by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will take place Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 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.

Teams scheduled to participate in this year’s Tip-Off tournament are: University at Buffalo (Mid-American), University of Florida (SEC), Niagara University (MAAC), North Carolina A&T (MEAC), Old Dominion University (CUSA), Purdue University (BIG 10), Saint Joseph’s University (Atlantic 10) and University of Vermont (Am. East).

“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.

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.

A pre-sale of tickets to all participating schools will start on May 6 at 10:00 a.m. EST via all Ticketmaster outlets and the Mohegan Sun Arena box office. General public tickets will go on sale Friday, September 11. Game times for Mohegan Sun Arena will be announced at later date.

For more information on tickets, please log onto www.halloffametipoff.com.

Naismith Bracket

University of Florida

Old Dominion University

Purdue University

Saint Joseph’s University

Springfield Bracket

North Carolina A&T

University at Buffalo

Niagara University

University of Vermont

Tip-Off Tournament Schedule

Campus Round Schedule

November 13

Niagara University @ Old Dominion University

North Carolina A&T @ Purdue University

November 15

University of Vermont @ Purdue University

Niagara University @ Saint Joseph’s University

November 16

North Carolina A&T @ University of Florida

University at Buffalo @ Old Dominion University

November 18

University at Buffalo @ Saint Joseph’s University

November 25

University of Vermont @ University of Florida

Saturday, November 21 at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT

Naismith Bracket

University of Florida vs. Saint Joseph’s University

Purdue University vs. Old Dominion University

Springfield Bracket

University of Vermont vs. Niagara University

University at Buffalo vs. North Carolina A&T

Sunday, November 22 at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT

Naismith Bracket

Consolation Game

Championship Game

Springfield Bracket

Consolation Game

Championship Game

Head Coach Comments

Cy Alexander – North Carolina A&T

“It is certainly an honor for North Carolina A&T State University to be included in the field of teams for the Hall of Fame Tip-Off. The state of North Carolina has such a rich tradition in college basketball. The fact A&T is representing the state in a tournament valuing the origins of basketball is a great step forward for our men's program and the young men who represent our program. Our university administration, department of intercollegiate athletics, alumni, fans and students are looking forward to a great event.”

Nate Oats – University at Buffalo

“It is an honor to be selected to play in the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off event. This is an outstanding opportunity for our team to be challenged by some quality opponents early in the season and we are looking forward to playing games at a first-class facility at the Mohegan Sun Arena.”

Billy Donovan – University of Florida

“This has been a great event in the past, and we’re honored to be part of it this fall along with a tradition-rich field.”

Chris Casey – Niagara University

“Our team looks forward to playing in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. The event has a history of outstanding teams and great competition, which will prepare us well for a difficult conference schedule.”

Jeff Jones – Old Dominion University

“We are very excited about competing in such a prestigious tournament. This is a very strong tournament field which I think our fans will enjoy watching and we will have a couple of home games as well.”

Matt Painter – Purdue University

“We are thrilled to be chosen to play in the 2015 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena. The tournament boasts a strong field and we feel this event will be a highlight of our non-conference season. The games will provide a great opportunity for our team and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Phil Martelli – Saint Joseph’s University

“As a program, we are excited to be affiliated with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Hall of Fame Tip-Off. We’re honored to be chosen as a campus host and are anxious to have our players experience quality competition in such a beautiful setting as Mohegan Sun.”

John Becker – University of Vermont

"We are excited to be participating in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off event again. It is a great event and Mohegan Sun is a good location for our fans to see us play. We are also looking forward to playing at Florida and Purdue, two established programs in college basketball."

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 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:

The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 11 member institutions: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University and Siena College. For more on the conference, please visit www.maacsports.com.

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.

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