The America East is hitting the big stage.
On Feb. 10, 2011, Albany and Boston University will become the conference’s first teams to play against each other in Madison Square Garden. It’s officially a Boston home game that tips at 9:35 p.m. ET and will follow a St. John’s-Connecticut game, but it’s still a big deal.
Who wouldn’t want a chance to play at MSG?
“This is a wonderful step forward for America East Basketball,” America East Commissioner Patrick Nero said in a release. “Madison Square Garden has been the mecca of college basketball for over 75 years. We are thrilled that the students, alumni and fans from Boston University and Albany will get an opportunity to experience college basketball in The Garden. If you play college basketball or are a fan of college basketball, you want to get the chance to enjoy the passion and history of Madison Square Garden.”
St. John’s is the impetus behind the game, which spent the summer trying to re-brand itself as a hoops school under new coach Steve Lavin. If I’m an AD at any other small school on the East Coast, I’m making calls to St. John’s about next season.
(H/T: College Hoops Journal)
Mike Miller’s also on Twitter @BeyndArcMMiller, usually talkin’ hoops. Click here for more.