Hoopla and two games kicked off basketball season Friday [VIDEO]

Friday marked the beginning of the basketball season for both the men and the women, and it all started with Hoopla hours before the tip-off in Lot A. This video is also posted on the YouTube channel (Jake McLernon).

Fans packed Lot A Friday afternoon in anticipation of the start of basketball season. The women opened their season at 5 p.m. against American, but came up just short in a 55-51 decision. The men followed at 7:30 and took down Rhode Island in a tough 92-90 overtime victory.

The Hoopla festivities, which began at 3 p.m., included basketball competitions, lots of free food, giveaways and raffles. Gradually, the students filed into the Patriot Center, filling up the student sections on both sides of the arena.

The women picked up their first win Sunday afternoon, and the men compete today against Florida International at 9:30 p.m. in the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip Off in Blacksburg.