| |
| School Name: | Niagara University |
| Location: | Lewiston, New York |
| Arena: | Gallagher Center |
| Capacity: | 2,400 |
| Conference: | MAAC |
| Head coach: | Joe Mihalich |
The Niagara Purple Eagles men's basketball team is the college basketball team that represent Niagara University in Lewiston, New York, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Purple Eagles are currently coached by Joe Mihalich.
They last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2007.
They played in the National Invitation Tournament on 13 occasions, losing the final game against Maryland in 1972.
The team formerly played at the now-defunct Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center.
NCAA Tournament results[]
The Purple Eagles have appeared in three NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 2–4.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result/Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | First Round Sweet Sixteen Regional Third Place Game |
Pennsylvania Villanova North Carolina State |
W 79–69 L 98–73 L 108–88 |
| 2005 | First Round | Oklahoma | L 84–67 |
| 2007 | Opening Round First Round |
Florida A&M Kansas |
W 77–69 L 107–67 |
Head coaches[]
| Name | Years | Seasons | Wins | Losses | Pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Mihalich | 1998-2011 | 13 | 231 | 168 | 0.579 |
| Jack Armstrong | 1989-1998 | 9 | 100 | 154 | 0.394 |
| Andy Walker | 1985-1989 | 4 | 59 | 58 | 0.504 |
| Pete Lonergan | 1980-1985 | 5 | 67 | 73 | 0.479 |
| Dan Raskin | 1976-1980 | 4 | 44 | 61 | 0.419 |
| Frank Layden | 1968-1976 | 8 | 119 | 97 | 0.551 |
| James Maloney | 1965-1968 | 3 | 35 | 38 | 0.479 |
| Taps Gallagher | 1946-1965 | 19 | 300 | 172 | 0.636 |
| Edward T. Flynn | 1944-1946 | 2 | 18 | 14 | 0.562 |
| Taps Gallagher | 1931-1943 | 12 | 165 | 89 | 0.650 |
Purple Eagles in the NBA[]
- Joe Arlauckas
- Al Butler
- Larry Costello
- Boo Ellis
- Bo Erias
- Ed Fleming
- Manny Leaks
- Calvin Murphy
- Zeke Sinicola
- Joe Smyth
- Andy Walker