NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
NIAGARA UNIV. — Coming off its best regular-season in five campaigns, the Niagara University men’s basketball program has accepted an invitation to play in the 10th CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT). The Purple Eagles’ opponent and date of the game is to be determined.
“We are excited for this opportunity as it enables a successful season to continue,” Director of Athletics Simon Gray said. “Our student-athletes and coaches have worked incredibly hard all season and they deserve a chance to compete for another championship. Our basketball program has been a source of campus pride this winter and participating in the postseason is another highlight.”
Niagara is 19-13 on the season, including a 12-4 conference record to earn a No. 3 seed in the 2018 MAAC Tournament. Niagara’s 19 overall wins, 12 MAAC wins, and nine home wins are the most in five seasons. The Purple Eagles’ 10 road victories lead the MAAC and ties a school record in the modern-era set in the 2008-09 season. The Purple Eagles lead the MAAC in points per game (83.8), total blocks (141), blocks per game (4.4), total rebounds (1,245), free throws made (578) and in fewest turnovers per game (11.3).
The dynamic duo of Kahlil Dukes (21.1 ppg) and Matt Scott (19.5 ppg) is the highest scoring combo in the MAAC and one of the highest scoring pairs in the nation. Dukes was named the 2017-18 MAAC Co-Player of the Year and was the only unanimous selection to the All-MAAC First Team. Scott was selected to the All-MAAC Second Team to earn all-league honors for the third straight season. Junior forward Marvin Prochet leads the MAAC in rebounds per game (7.8) and is tied for the lead league in double-doubles (8) with teammate Matt Scott.
“We are excited to continue our season in the CIT,” head coach Chris Casey said. “This tournament is a terrific opportunity for our players after accomplishing so much this season. The CIT has grown tremendously over the years and is a very competitive postseason tournament. We look forward to the announcement of our match-up and to competing this postseason.”
The Purple Eagles will make their first postseason appearance since the 2013 National Invitational Tournament (NIT) where they lost to No. 2 seed Maryland. Niagara, which has appeared in three NCAA Tournaments and 14 NIT Tournaments, will play in the CIT for the first time in program history. In its 10th season, the CIT was created to provide an opportunity to participate in the postseason for deserving programs not selected to play in the NCAA Tournament or the NIT. The field is selected by a 14-member committee made of current Division I Athletic Directors and Conference Commissioners.
For the sixth consecutive year, CBS Sports Network is the home of the CIT. This season, CBS Sports Network will televise seven tournament games, including the semifinals and championship game. All remaining CIT games will be streamed live through CBS Sports Digital’s subscription OTT service, SportsLive, and WatchCIT.com.
The four first round games will be televised live on CBS Sports Network on Monday, March 12 at 12:00 PM, ET, 2:00 PM, ET, 6:00 PM, ET and 10 P.M., ET and will be the only college basketball games played on the day after Selection Sunday. CBS Sports Network will also televise the CIT semifinals on Wednesday, March 28th at 7:00 PM, ET and 9:00 P.M., and the CIT Championship on Friday, March 30th at 7:00 PM, ET.