NCAA Division 1 Basketball Returns to Moncton with Atlantic Slam Showdown 2024-10-16
Northeastern Huskies vs. Central Connecticut Blue Devils
Atlantic Slam, in partnership with the City of Moncton, On Ice Entertainment, and the Big South Conference, is making a key adjustment to this year’s event. Due to changes in NCAA rules and regulations, the originally planned multi-team event (MTE) has been modified to a single NCAA regular season game. On Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., the Northeastern Huskies will face off against the Central Connecticut Blue Devils at Moncton’s Avenir Centre, bringing exciting Division 1 college basketball to Atlantic Canada. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Big South Conference has played an essential role in adapting to these regulatory changes, taking immediate action to ensure that NCAA Division 1 basketball would still be represented at Atlantic Slam in 2024. Despite the shift in format, the commitment to providing Moncton with top-tier basketball remains strong.
“The Big South is pleased to continue its relationship with the City of Moncton and On Ice Entertainment in building Atlantic Slam,” says James Holland, senior associate commissioner of the Big South Conference. “Last year, 2023, was a great introduction for us to Moncton and basketball in Atlantic Canada, and while the changes in NCAA regulations have posed challenges this year, we are excited to still bring a Division 1 game to Moncton. We are also working to expand the weekend with additional basketball action and will share those details soon. Our goal remains to return to the MTE format in 2025, with an early announcement of participating teams to build excitement.”
Northeastern’s head coach, Bill Coen, is enthusiastic about the opportunity for his team to participate in Atlantic Slam.
“We’re very excited to participate in the Atlantic Slam this November. Northeastern University is a global institution with two campus locations in Canada and the opportunity for our student-athletes to compete abroad aligns perfectly with our university goals. We are looking forward to our upcoming trip to Moncton and tipping off against the very talented Central Connecticut State team,” he says.
Central Connecticut’s head coach, Patrick Sellers, is eager for his team to compete in Atlantic Slam and embrace the exciting atmosphere.
“We here at Central Connecticut are extremely excited to participate in the Atlantic Slam in Moncton, Canada. Our players, coaches, and staff are looking forward to playing in a big-time atmosphere and seeing a beautiful part of North America. Northeastern is a great program and very well coached. It's an exciting opportunity for our guys to compete versus one of the premier basketball teams in the country,” he says.
Moncton’s reputation continues to grow with the return of Atlantic Slam and NCAA Division 1 basketball for its second year.
“Moncton has established itself as a premier sport-hosting city, and Atlantic Slam is another great addition to our annual roster of exciting events. Bringing NCAA basketball to Atlantic Canada is breaking barriers and we’re proud to be at the forefront of that movement. It’s great for the growth of basketball in Moncton and we’re thrilled to welcome these talented teams to our city,” says Bill Whalen, co-chair of the City of Moncton’s Events Moncton Committee.
Looking ahead, planning for a full MTE event in 2025 is already underway, with plans to announce the participating teams early to build excitement and momentum for the event.
Atlantic Slam would also like to extend its gratitude to Explore NB for their valuable partnership, which has been instrumental in bringing NCAA basketball to Moncton and elevating the event, while showcasing New Brunswick as a premier destination for sports and cultural experiences.
Ticketing Update for Full Package Holders
For those who purchased full event packages, messaging will be sent out in the coming days regarding full refunds, along with a special offer to purchase tickets for the Nov. 16 game.
Ticketing Information
Tickets for the Nov. 16 game are available at the Avenir Centre box office and online at atlanticslam.com.
Information:
Communications, City of Moncton
communications@moncton.ca