2019–20 Niagara Purple Eagles men's basketball team explained

Mode:Basketball
Sex:men
Year:2019–20
Team:Niagara Purple Eagles
Conference:Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Short Conf:MAAC
Record:12–20
Conf Record:9–11
Hc Year:1st
Asst Coach1:Bryan Smothers
Asst Coach2:Brett Ervin

The 2019–20 Niagara Purple Eagles men's basketball team represented Niagara University in the 2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Purple Eagles, led by 1st-year head coach Greg Paulus, played their home games at the Gallagher Center in Lewiston, New York as members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. They finished the season 12–20 overall, 9–11 in MAAC play to finish in a tie for sixth place. As the #6 seed in the MAAC tournament, they defeated #11 seed Marist 56–54 in the first round. Before they could face #3 seeded Rider in the MAAC tournament quarterfinals, all postseason tournaments were cancelled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previous season

The Purple Eagles finished the 2018–19 season 13–19 overall, 6–12 in MAAC play to finish in a three-way tie for ninth place. As the 11th seed in the 2019 MAAC tournament, they were defeated by No. 6 seed Monmouth in the first round, 76–72.[1]

On March 11, 2019, head coach Chris Casey was fired.[2] He finished at Niagara with a six-year record of 64–129. On March 28, 2019, Niagara hired Patrick Beilein as their new head coach.[3] On October 24, it was announced that head coach Patrick Beilein would be stepping down from his job, citing personal reasons.[4] That same day, assistant coach Greg Paulus was announced as interim head coach.[5]

Schedule and results

|-!colspan=12 style=| Exhibition|-!colspan=12 style=| Non-conference regular season|-!colspan=12 style=| MAAC regular season|-!colspan=12 style=| MAAC tournament|-|-Source[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Niagara's Season Ends In MAAC First Round Nail-Biter. Niagara University Athletics. November 22, 2019. en.
  2. News: Niagara Announces Change In Leadership For Men’s Basketball Program. Niagara University Athletics. November 22, 2019. en.
  3. News: Niagara University Names Patrick Beilein As Men's Basketball Head Coach. Niagara University Athletics. November 22, 2019. en.
  4. News: Patrick Beilein resigns as Niagara men's basketball coach, citing 'personal reasons'. The Buffalo News. November 22, 2019. en.
  5. News: Greg Paulus Named Interim Head Coach. Niagara University Athletics. November 22, 2019. en.
  6. News: 2019-20 Men's Basketball Schedule. Niagara University Athletics. November 22, 2019. en.