Edison, N.J. - Two MAAC programs - Iona College and Siena College - earned a pair of TV slots of the 11 available for the 2010 ESPNU BracketBusters.
On Friday, February 19, Iona College (16-6, 8-3 MAAC) will host the College of William & Mary (14-6, 7-4 Colonial Athletic Conference) for a 9:00 p.m. tilt at the Hynes Athletics Center on ESPNU, the 24-hour college sports network. The Tribe, ranked 51 in the RPI, is led by senior guard David Schneider, who is averaging 16.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and sophomore guard/forward Quinn McDowell, who is contributing 15.0 points and 4.1 rebounds an outing. The Gaels, 85 in the RPI, are led by sophomore guard Scott Machado, who is averaging 12.1 points and 4.2 assists an outing, and freshman guard Kyle Smyth, who is netting 8.8 points and pulling down 3.3 boards a night.
On Saturday, February 20, Siena College (19-4, 12-0 MAAC) will take on No. 15 Butler University (18-4, 11-0 Horizon) at Hinkle Fieldhouse for an 11:00 a.m. contest on ESPN2. The Bulldogs, 18 in the RPI, are led by sophomore guard/forward Gordon Hayward, who is registering 16.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and sophomore guard Shelvin Mack, who is posting 15.0 points and 3.4 rebounds an outing. The Saints, 44 in the RPI, are paced by senior forward Alex Franklin, who is averaging 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, and senior guard/forward Edwin Ubiles, who is recording 15.8 points and 3.9 caroms a night.
2010 BracketBusters Schedule
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Date
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Time (ET)
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Matchup
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Network(s)
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Fri, Feb 19
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7 p.m.
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Old Dominion at No. 22 Northern Iowa
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ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com
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9 p.m.
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William & Mary at Iona
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ESPNU
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Sat, Feb 20
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11 a.m.
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Siena at No. 15 Butler
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ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com
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Noon
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Morgan State at Murray State
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ESPNU
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| |
1 p.m.
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Louisiana Tech at Northeastern
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ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
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3 p.m.
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Nevada at Missouri State
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ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
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4 p.m.
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Akron at Virginia Commonwealth
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ESPNU
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8 p.m.
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Coll. of Charleston at George Mason
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ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com
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8 p.m.
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Western Carolina at Kent State
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ESPNU
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10 p.m.
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New Mexico State at Pacific
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ESPNU
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11:59 p.m.
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Wichita State at Utah State
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ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
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This year's 22 BracketBusters teams represent 10 conferences and:
- Two ranked teams: No. 15 Butler and No. 22 Northern Iowa
- 19 teams in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) top 100: No. Iowa (16); Butler (18); Siena (44); Old Dominion (46); Wichita State (48); William & Mary (51); Utah State (55); Northeastern (56); Virginia Commonwealth (60); Nevada (66); Kent State (69); Western Carolina (73); La. Tech (74); New Mexico State (82); Missouri State (84); Iona (85); Murray State (92); College of Charleston (94); Pacific (95)
- Seven 2009 NCAA Tournament participants: Northern Iowa; Siena; Butler; Morgan Sate; Akron; Virginia Commonwealth; Utah State
- 16 teams with 15 or more wins overall: Old Dominion; Northern Iowa; William & Mary; Iona; Siena; Butler; Morgan State; Murray State; La. Tech; Missouri State; Akron; Virginia Commonwealth; George Mason; Western Carolina; Wichita State; Utah State
- Four teams undefeated in conference play: Butler; Siena; Morgan State and Murray State
About BracketBusters
The BracketBusters concept, named because of the success of participating teams from these conferences in NCAA Tournament play through the years, provides programs with an opportunity to play top non-conference opponents roughly three weeks before Selection Sunday. Each conference selects its participating teams before the season, and the matchups for the event are determined by ESPN in conjunction with the conferences. BracketBusters is an example of ESPN college basketball franchise programming. Others include Rivalry Week Presented by Cisco, Feast Week Presented by Lowe's, Holiday Hoops Presented by Kay Jewelers, ESPNU Campus Connection Week, Judgment Week and Championship Week Presented by Dick's Sporting Goods.