From our friends at the Naismith Hall of Fame:
Springfield, Mass. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the field of teams and brackets for the 2012 Tip-Off Tournament. The annual NCAA men’s exempt tournament, sponsored by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, will take place the weekend of November 16th-18th at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut featuring eight schools in two four-team brackets. All teams will also compete in two campus round games.
Teams scheduled to participate in this year’s Tip-Off tournament are Loyola University Maryland (MAAC), Norfolk State University (MEAC), Ohio State University (Big Ten), Seton Hall University (Big East), University of Albany (America East), University of Missouri-Kansas City (Summit League), University of Rhode Island (Atlantic 10) and University of Washington (Pac-12).
“This year’s Tip-Off Tournament will once again showcase some of the best college basketball programs in the country,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “We are looking forward to welcoming each of these teams, as they compete at Mohegan Sun, one of the finest facilities in the country.”
The 2012 Tip-Off Tournament game schedule will be separated into two brackets. The Springfield bracket will include Albany, Loyola, UMKC and Norfolk State. The Naismith bracket will consist of Ohio State, Washington, Seton Hall, and Rhode Island. Game times and sessions for both rounds will be announced at a later date.
“On behalf of Mohegan Sun, we are excited to be able to once again host one of the most prestigious tournaments in college basketball,” said Jeffrey Hartmann, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mohegan Sun. “We appreciate the Hall of Fame’s passion for basketball, and we look forward to continuing our relationship and hosting another great event in November.”
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will serve as the host conference for the annual event. The MAAC will host the men’s and women’s basketball championships at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA this March and has developed a strong partnership with the Basketball Hall of Fame, including the opening of a MAAC exhibit in the Hall of Fame museum.
“The MAAC is excited to extend its support of the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Tip-Off Tournament again in 2012,” said Rich Ensor, Commissioner of the MAAC. “The MAAC and the Hall of Fame continue to expand its relationship and we look forward to working together in the future on many projects, including the annual Tip-Off Tournament.”
Tickets for the 2012 Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off at Mohegan Sun Arena will go on sale in the near future. For more information on the event, log on to www.halloffametipoff.com
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Birthplace of Basketball, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate, men and women.
For more information:
Visit us on the web: www.hoophall.com
… on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BBHOF
… on Twitter: @hoophall
… or call 1-877-4-HOOPLA
About Mohegan Sun:
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on facebook.com/mohegansun, follow us on twitter.com/mohegansun and view us on youtube.com/mohegansunvideos.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 10 member institutions: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Loyola University Maryland, Manhattan College, Marist College, Niagara University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s College and Siena College. For more on the conference, please visit www.maacsports.com.
