CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Friday marks the
beginning of the 2012-13 college basketball season and seven America East teams
take the court in non-conference action.
The season
begins at 2:30 p.m. with Maine taking on Auburn as part of the Sheraton Raleigh
Wolfpack Invitational in Raleigh, N.C. The Black Bears and Tigers will be
meeting for the first time. Maine boasts the youngest roster in the country
with nine freshmen and a total of 10 years of playing experience between the
four returners.
The day
continues at 5:30 p.m. with UMBC traveling to take on local rival Morgan State.
It is the second-straight season the Retrievers will open against the Lady
Bears. UMBC holds a 12-9 advantage in the all-time series, including a 72-50
win last year.
Vermont
faces a tough test against reigning MAAC Champion Marist in a game that will be
televised nationally on ESPN3 and available via WatchESPN. It is the fourth
meeting between the Red Foxes and the Catamounts. Marist has a 2-1 advantage in
the series, including a win the last time the teams met in 2010, 76-49.
Boston
University, the 2011-12 America East regular-season champion, starts the game
with three-straight home games, beginning with cross-town rival Boston College
at 7:00 p.m. Friday. The Terriers return reigning America East Player of the
Year Chantell Alford, along with fellow Preseason All-Conference selection Mo
Moran.
Hartford
welcomes Loyola (Md.) to start the season for a 7 p.m. tip. The Hawks finished
third in the conference regular-season last year and return 10 players
including all five starters. It is just the third meeting between the Hawks and
the Greyhounds. The last time came in 2006 with Hartford winning 65-49.
Stony Brook
also starts the season at home, with Rider coming to Pritchard Gym for a 7:00
p.m. game. The Seawolves were one of the best defensive teams in the country
last season, holding opponents to just 55.7 points per game.
Reigning
America East Champion Albany plays the night cap as part of the doubleheader
with the men's team. The Great Danes host Fordham at 8:30 p.m. at SEFCU Arena and
will raise the America East Championship banner in a pregame ceremony.
Schedule and Links
Maine vs.
Auburn, 2:30 p.m.
Live
Stats | Audio
| Video
UMBC at
Morgan State, 5:30 p.m.
Vermont at
Marist, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
Audio
| Video
(ESPN3)
Boston
College at Boston University, 7:00 p.m.
Live
Stats | Audio | Video
Loyola (Md.)
at Hartford, 7:00 p.m.
Live Stats
| Audio | Video
Rider at
Stony Brook, 7:00 p.m.
Live
Stats | Video
Fordham at
Albany, 8:30 p.m.
Live
Stats | Video