Corsair basketball is all set to return this weekend.

UMass Dartmouth will join with five other Little East Conference members in sponsoring double round-robin competition in the sports of men’s and women’s basketball for the winter season, the school announced Tuesday.

The season is scheduled to tip-off on Jan. 23 and will consist of 10 regular season games for the men’s team and nine for the women’s squad.  The Little East will then sponsor a four-team conference tournament set to begin on March 2 and end with championship games on March 5 — with the respective winners earning the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA Division III championship field.  

“Our staff has worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for competition, training and conditioning for our student-athletes, and I’m extremely happy that our basketball teams will have the chance to play this season,” Corsair Director of Athletics Amanda Van Voorhis said.  “I am most grateful to Chancellor [Mark] Fuller and the University community for working together to make this happen.  We will continue to follow all protocols to ensure the continued health and safety of everyone involved.” 

Saturday’s season-opener will see the men’s squad host Castleton University at the Tripp Athletic Center for a 2 p.m. tip-off, while  women’s team begins its campaign on Jan. 27 by entertaining Rhode Island College at 6 p.m. 

At this time, spectators will not be permitted to attend home games during the season, but the policy is subject to change.  All games will be available for viewing via live stream at corsairathletics.com.