Hoop Junkie's Delight: Trip To WNY For Games Wings

The calendar has turned; it's a new year.

And that means the MAAC either resumes (for men), or begins (for women) league play, the most-exciting part of the season.

Your Hoopscribe is taking a rare opportunity to watch a lot of games over the next few days on a trip to beautiful, snowy (and, yes, cold) Western New York.

But, that's the benefit of indoor sports. It's always warm in the gym. And, usually, the on-court action warms things up a little more.

Here is your blogger's upcoming schedule ....

We actually arrived yesterday (Wednesday) and was graciously allowed, by Niagara men's coach Joe Mihalich, to attend his team's practice. Joe is a master of having his players improve, and it's no surprise as to why that happens. This was just a single viewing of one of many, many practices during a long season. But, this one gave a great amount of concentration on individual skill development which is how players get better.

And, here's the rest of the schedule:

We'll get over to Niagara again tonight (Thursday) to watch the Marist men take on the Purple Eagles. Friday we'll be up bright and early for a coffee-and-donuts 11 a.m. women's game with Siena playing at Canisius.

We'll do a double-header on Saturday, going north to Niagara once again to watch the Fairfield men take on the Purple Eagles in a 3 p.m. game and, then, go a little south to view the Marist men playing at Canisius in a 7 p.m. contest.

And, finally, we'll rejoin the Siena women for a 2 p.m. game at Niagara on Sunday.

There could have been one more game on the agenda ... a Friday night women's game (Iona at Niagara) could have fit into the schedule.

But, culinary concerns will take precedence. When in the Buffalo area, one does have to fit in a trip to the home of the chicken wing, the venerable Anchor Bar, so that will be Friday night's activity.

Through it all, your scribe will provide insights and details on all the games.

Yes, the holiday season might be over ... but, for basketball fans the league season is the most wonderful time of the year.

It all begins right now. So, we hope you'll check the blog early and often for updates from Western New York.