Men's Basketball Earns First-Ever Postseason Bid

The Hartford men's basketball team will host Rider in the opening round of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament on Tuesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. in Chase Arena.

For the first time since making the jump to Division I for the 1984-85 season, the University of Hartford men's basketball team has been invited to participate in a prestigious postseason tournament. The Hawks will host Rider in the opening round of the 2013 CollegeInsider.com Tournament on Tuesday, March 19. The game tips off at 7 p.m. at Chase Arena.

"This is a historic day for our University and its men's basketball program,” said Director of Athletics Pat Meiser.  “I am thrilled for our student-athletes, the coaches, our fans, and everyone associated with program. It is a just reward for an outstanding season. I expect we will look back on this day as not a 'destination' but as 'the next step' for a maturing program. What Coach Gallagher has done in such a short time is remarkable."

Tickets for Tuesday's game are available for purchase online or by contacting the Malcolm and Brenda Berman Athletics Ticket Office at 860.768.HAWK. Tickets are free for University of Hartford students with valid ID.

The box office, located in the lobby of the Reich Family Pavilion, will be open from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. to game time on Tuesday. Ticket options are general admission ($5), gallery seating ($12), lower chair-back seating ($15), courtside seating ($20) and VIP ($30).

"This is an exciting time for both our basketball program and our University," exclaimed third-year head coach John Gallagher. "To accept the first invitation to the postseason in the Hartford's Division I history signifies the progress that our players have made in the short time they have been here. This is a great honor and we look forward to representing the University of Hartford at the national level next week.”

This year will mark the fifth Annual CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. The first four tournaments were a major success, rewarding deserving programs from 23 Division I conferences. Criteria for selection include, but are not limited to, win-loss record, strength of schedule, strength of conference and final 10 games. Participating teams must have at least .500 record.

The CollegeInsider.com Tournament was created in 2009. What began as a 16-team event quickly expanded to 24 teams in 2011 and is now a 32-team postseason event, with invitations extended only to teams outside of the BCS power conferences.

Last season, Mercer became the third team in four years to win the CIT Championship on the road, defeating Utah State to capture the 2012 title. Santa Clara captured the 2011 CIT, winning at Iona to finish with 24 wins, its most in 40-plus years. Missouri State (2010) and Old Dominion (2009) were the first two teams to take home CIT titles.

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2013 CIT Tournament guide