Tuesday, January 31, 2006

The Valparaiso University men's basketball team will host Niagara University February 18 at 7:05 p.m. as a result of their participation in the larger BracketBusters presented by eBay pool.

The game will be the final home contest for six Crusader seniors, and will mark the first time in 12 seasons the two teams will meet. The Purple Eagles have a 2-1 lead in the all-time series, one that began in the 1967-68 season. Valpo won the only previous meeting at the Athletics-Recreation Center, 90-59 December 1, 1993.

Niagara, a participant in the 2005 NCAA Tournament by way of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament Championship, is 7-12 this season, including a 4-7 mark in MAAC play.

Per the BracketBusters agreement, these two teams will meet again during the 2006-07 season, in a game to be played at Niagara. The Crusaders met Butler last season in a game arranged through the BracketBusters pool.

The Brown and Gold will retake the court Thursday night, looking to snap a season-long four-game losing streak. Centenary will be Valpo's opponent at the Athletics-Recreation Center in a game scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m.