While area rivals Buffalo, Canisius, Niagara and St. Bonaventure have met quite often through the years, with Canisius and Niagara both being members of the MAAC, very rarely have all four played in the same building on the same day. November 29 the four programs will participate in a doubleheader at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, with Niagara facing St. Bonaventure in the opener and Canisius/Buffalo serving as the nightcap.
And for the Big 4 Basketball Classic doubleheader each of the teams will wear Buffalo Braves-inspired uniforms, paying homage to the basketball history of the City of Buffalo. The Braves, now knows as the Los Angeles Clippers, were based in Buffalo from 1970-78 before moving to San Diego.
Check out the Buffalo Brave throwback jersey's that @UBmenshoops will wear at the arena on Nov. 29 vs. Canisius #NYBI pic.twitter.com/cUaqSaBfcw
— UB Athletics (@UBAthletics) October 29, 2014
Here is a look at the uniforms the #Griffs will wear Nov. 29 in the Big 4 Basketball Classic. #MAACHoops pic.twitter.com/O5TSYKwS8l
— Canisius Basketball (@Griffs_MBB) October 29, 2014
Check out the Buffalo Braves themed unis @NiagaraMBB will wear at the @Big4Hoops classic on Nov. 29 #Big4Hoops pic.twitter.com/CIkuJidx61
— Niagara Purple Eagles (@NUPurpleEagles) October 29, 2014
Here's the Buffalo Braves throwback jersey that @Go_Bonnies will be wearing during the Nov. 29 @Big4Hoops Classic. pic.twitter.com/3Oy1qRROTI
— Big 4 Hoops (@Big4Hoops) October 29, 2014
According to the release from St. Bonaventure, the uniforms in their game vs. Niagara are meant to represent what the Braves wore from 1971-73, with the Canisius and Buffalo uniforms representing the final color scheme used by the NBA franchise before its move to San Diego. I like the look because not only is it different, it can also help educate younger fans about the history of basketball in Buffalo.