The University of Hartford men's basketball team will play in-state rival Central Connecticut State in each of the next five years, head coach John Gallagher announced today. The Hawks and Blue Devils agreed to a five-year contract that will have the squads clashing annually through the 2020-21 season.
 
"With our two campuses just 10 miles away, it is a no-brainer to play CCSU every year," Gallagher said. "We're excited to be committed to playing them for the next five years, keeping the rivalry alive. Every year I've been here, it's been a great battle between our two programs, and it's fantastic to have an agreement in place."
 
The agreement will begin with a season-opening matchup on Nov. 11, 2016, with the squads tipping off in New Britain at 7 p.m. The annual game between the two squads will also be played in New Britain in the 2019-20 season, with contests in Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion in 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2020-21.
 
The remainder of the Hawks' 2016-17 non-conference schedule and the America East slate will be announced in the near future.
 
The Hawks and Blue Devils last met in the Connecticut 6 to open the 2015-16 season, with Hartford prevailing in double overtime. Five Hawks scored in double digits in the contest, including 15 each from George Blagojevic and John Carroll, and 14 from Jalen Ross.
 
The two teams have met in each of the last six seasons after a string of eight years from 2002-10 without clashing on the hardwood. Each team has logged two wins in the last four matchups.
 
Hartford returns eight letterwinners from last season's team, including starters J.R. Lynch, Ross and Blagojevic. Carroll also returns to the fold for the Hawks after missing most of this past season due to injury.