March 1, 2012 -

Hitting the boards first - the Subway AUS men’s basketball championship this weekend.

Halifax, NS – From buzzer beating three-pointers to sensational slam dunks, the best in Canadian university basketball is set to broadcast live on Eastlink TV in a back-to-back weekend basketball showcase that promises to entertain and excite basketball fans across the country.

Eastlink TV will tip off its live broadcast with this weekend’s Subway Atlantic University Sport semi-final and championship games.

As the most important games of the season, six AUS teams will battle it out on the hardwood to become the 2012 AUS champions and move on to next weekend’s Canadian Interuniversity Sport championship tournament. 

Eastlink TV Sports Commentator Cecil Wright is gearing up for what promises to be a weekend jam packed with basketball excitement.

“I get so enthusiastic each year when the AUS basketball playoffs take place,” says Wright. “In my opinion, this is the strongest conference in the country and the competition to make it to the CIS Final 8 is always fierce.  The atmosphere is electric with the largest crowds of the year, and with the teams involved this season, it could be one of the best ever, especially since it's the final AUS tournament for Ross Quackenbush – I can't wait!!!!”

The Subway AUS semi-finals tip off on Eastlink TV Sat., March 3 at 6 & 8:15 p.m (AST) followed by the championship game the next day, Sun., March 4 at 2:00 p.m. (AST)

Once the AUS champion is crowned, basketball fans can look forward to more action on the court next weekend when Eastlink TV presents live coverage of the CIS men's basketball Final 8 semi-final and championship games.

“Partnering with the CIS is a natural fit,” says Michael Smith, VP of Eastlink TV. “Our sports fans have high expectations. As the Maritimes’ number one sports channel, we’re very passionate about local and regional sports and are anxious to share the excitement of university championship basketball with our viewers.”

Halifax has a long history of hosting this storied national tournament, which highlights the best of basketball’s best in the country. Eight teams from across Canada will vie for the coveted W.P. McGee Trophy and the right to be named national champions. 

"Eastlink TV is very excited to broadcast the CIS men's basketball championship," says Dan Robertson, senior sports producer and play-by-play voice for Eastlink TV. "It's a natural progression of our AUS championship coverage. This tournament has offered many memorable moments throughout the years and we look forward to more of these moments this year." 

The CIS men’s basketball Final 8 semi-finals tip off on Eastlink TV Sat., March 10 at 6 & 8:15 p.m. (AST) with the championship game queued up for Sun., March 11 at 4:30 p.m. (AST)

Viewers won’t want to miss the always insightful and lively commentary of Eastlink TV’s own Dan Robertson and Cecil Wright.

Smith says this month has even more great basketball on the roster. 

“March is historically an exhilarating month for basketball both here, across the country and in the U.S. We’re so proud to bring fans even more thrilling basketball matchups in both Canadian College and National Basketball League matchups.”

Eastlink TV will broadcast the bronze and gold medal games on March 17 for the 2012 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) championship hosted by the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro, NS

“The CCAA championship provides an opportunity for some great players to display their talent on Eastlink TV,” says Wright.  “These athletes are vastly underrated as so many from these teams have made a successful leap to CIS programs.  The intimacy of NSAC, who has been selected to host many times, adds a special ambiance to the event.  I'm looking forward to seeing some of the best ballers in Canada at this tournament.”

On the professional basketball front, the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL) has not disappointed its fans this season. Nova Scotia’s hometown favourite, the Halifax Rainmen, have been strong this season with a record of 21 wins and 13 losses.

Later this month, Halifax will play host to the NBL All-Star Weekend and Eastlink TV will be there to catch all the action of the Skills Competition on March 31 and the All-Star Game on April 1.

“Players throughout the NBL display a high level of skill every night during the regular season,” says Robertson. "Viewers of our all-star coverage will get to see the cream of the crop in the NBL put those skills on display."

For more information on Eastlink TV programming, please visit Eastlink TV

About Eastlink
With more than 1,700 employees from coast to coast, Eastlink delivers world-class video entertainment, internet, and telephone services to residential, business and public-sector customers across Canada.

Powered by a state-of-the-art fibre optic and wireless networks, Eastlink’s advanced services include Whole Home DVR, Video OnDemand, HD and 3D programming, High Speed Internet scalable to 200 Mbps, competitive local and long distance telephone services, Eastlink Wireless, and exclusive locally-produced programming via Eastlink TV. Eastlink has been recognized as one of Canada’s 50 Best managed Companies for seven years running.

Media Contact:
Jill Laing, Public and Media Relations
Eastlink
Phone: (902) 446-1939
email: jill.laing@corp.Eastlink.ca