New for the 2011-2012 seasons, the America East Daily Word, a collaboration between AmericaEast.com and AExtra, will recap the  previous day's games and on goings on our nine campuses and provide links to previews, recaps, features and exclusive coverage.

The ESPN Sears Bracketbusters bracket was announced yesterday and for the first time ever, all nine America East men’s basketball teams will participate.

Stony Brook headlines the conference’s matchups when it travels to Boston to take on former America East member, Northeastern. The Huskies are unbeaten against America East foes this year, collecting wins against at Boston U. and at Vermont. Newsday breaks down the Seawolves’ matchup.

Boston University and Vermont will both receive challenges come Feb. 18 or 19. The Terriers head to Loyola and Vermont hosts Niagara. The Catamounts haven’t played the Purple Eagles since the late ‘80s. John Fantino has more details in the Burlington Free Press.

Albany draws Rider at the SEFCU Arena where the Danes are unbeaten this season. Rider and Albany played once back in 1958 – the only meeting between the two teams. Check out the Times Union for more.

Binghamton will hit the road for a date with Radford in Virginia. The Bearcats played in a Bracketbusters game back in the 2007-2008 season defeating Manhattan, 66-56. The Press and Sun Bulletin has some interesting notes on this one.

Other matchups include Maine hosting Marist, New Hampshire welcoming Towson, Hartford playing at St. Peter’s and UMBC at Canisius.

Here is the America East’s full release.

For more of the Daily Word, check out the AExtra Blog.