An ESPN Bracket Buster home game and three televised contests, including two in the Koessler Center, highlight the Canisius College 2005-06 men's basketball schedule, released today.

The Blue and Gold will host a game in the Koessler Center, Feb. 18, as part of Bracket Buster Saturday, an event that features 11 nationally-televised games selected from an expanded pool of 100 teams representing 18 conferences.

All the matchups for Bracket Buster Saturday will be determined by ESPN in conjunction with the conferences approximately three weeks prior to the event (Jan. 29, 2006). Five Bracket Buster Saturday games will be televised exclusively on ESPNU, the 24-hour college sports network, while ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to televise the remaining six contests. As part of the agreement, all the home teams will play a return game at the home facility of their opponent in November or December of the following season.

“Bracket Buster Saturday has made a name for itself as a showcase of NCAA Tournament caliber teams which are capable of becoming the darlings of the tournament in March,” said Canisius coach Mike MacDonald. “We're excited to be hosting a Bracket Buster game against a quality opponent, and we're hoping we can draw some national exposure for our program.”

Three other Golden Griffin contests are slated to be televised. Canisius will host longtime rival Niagara in a television game Tuesday, Jan. 17, in the Koessler Athletic Center. Canisius' home game against Fairfield Sunday, Jan. 29, and the Griffs' game at Saint Peter's Friday, Feb. 24, will also be televised.

All the games will be broadcast live on CJRN 710 AM, and on the Web site at www.GoGriffs.com with Jay Moran calling the action. After starting the season at local rivals Buffalo and St. Bonaventure, Canisius will play its next four games in the Koessler Athletic Center, including a pair of conference contests against Saint Peter's and Siena, Dec. 9 and 11, respectively. The Blue and Gold split with Saint Peter's a season ago, and swept the Saints for the first time since the 1996-97 campaign.

From there, the Griffs play five of their next six on the road and finish the trip with MAAC games at Marist Jan. 5, and Fairfield Jan. 7. Canisius won three games against Marist last year, including the 62-60 MAAC Tournament victory at HSBC Arena, but dropped both meetings against Fairfield.

After weekend home contests against Loyola and Iona, the Griffs will host Niagara for the 156th meeting between the schools, the most between Canisius and any opponent.

Canisius travels to Manhattan and Siena the following weekend. Rider comes to Buffalo Jan. 27, and the Griffs return the trip less than a week later, traveling to Iona Feb. 3, and the Broncs' Zoo, Feb. 5.

The Blue and Gold plays at Niagara Feb. 8, before starting a three-game homestand against Manhattan Feb. 11. Canisius also hosts Marist Feb. 13, and finishes the slate with road games at Saint Peter's Feb. 24, and Loyola Feb. 26.

The MAAC Tournament returns to the Pepsi Arena in Albany March 2-6. The Griffs own an 11-10 record in MAAC Tourney games in Albany.

Season tickets for the combined men's and women's 26-game home schedule are currently on sale at the ticket office in the Koessler Athletic Center and include all men's and women's home games. Reserved seats are $125 and $75 for Canisius College faculty, staff and administration. General admission tickets are $100. Reserved seats with a Family Pass are $75 per person, and reserved seats with Griffin Pass are $65 per person.

Canisius returns four starters and eight letterwinners to the 2005-06 team.