What Is 2004 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2004 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament was held from March 5–8, 2004, at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, New York, where #1 seed Manhattan defeated #2 seed Siena 73–65 in the final to earn an NCAA Tournament berth.

Key Facts

The 2004 MAAC Tournament took place from March 5–8, 2004
Games were held at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, NY
Manhattan College won the championship with a 73–65 victory over Siena
Manhattan earned the MAAC's automatic bid to the 2004 NCAA Tournament
Manhattan was the #1 seed; Siena was the #2 seed in the tournament

Overview

The 2004 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament marked the culmination of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's basketball season, determining which team would represent the conference in the NCAA Tournament. Held annually, the MAAC Tournament brings together the top teams from the conference for a single-elimination showdown.

This edition featured intense competition among nine conference members, culminating in a championship game between the top two seeds. The tournament structure rewarded regular-season performance with seeding advantages, giving higher-ranked teams a path to the title game.

March 5–8, 2004: The tournament spanned four days, beginning with first-round matchups and concluding with the final on March 8.
Pepsi Arena, Albany, NY: The venue hosted the MAAC Tournament for the third consecutive year, providing a neutral site for the championship.
Manhattan College: As the #1 seed, Manhattan entered the tournament with a 13–3 conference record and a 20–10 overall mark.
Siena College: The #2 seed, Siena finished just behind Manhattan in the standings with a 12–4 conference record.
Championship Game: Manhattan defeated Siena 73–65 in the final, securing the MAAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

How It Works

The MAAC Tournament format is designed to reward regular-season success while giving lower-seeded teams a chance to make a run. The top nine teams in the conference standings qualify, with higher seeds receiving byes and home-court advantages.

Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination format with nine teams, where seeds #1–6 receive byes into later rounds. This structure emphasizes regular-season performance.
Seeding: Teams are seeded 1–9 based on conference win-loss records, with tiebreakers used to separate teams with identical records.
First Round: The #8 and #9 seeds play in a preliminary game, with the winner advancing to face the #1 seed in the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals: The top six seeds enter at this stage, with #1 playing the winner of #8 vs. #9, and #2 facing #7, and so on.
Semifinals: Held on March 7, the semifinals featured Manhattan vs. Iona and Siena vs. Rider, with both favorites advancing.
Championship Game: Played on March 8, the final determined the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top four teams in the 2004 MAAC Tournament based on seeding, record, and performance:

Team	Seed	Conference Record	Overall Record	Tournament Result
Manhattan	#1	13–3	20–10	Champions
Siena	#2	12–4	20–11	Runner-up
Rider	#3	11–5	19–12	Semifinals
Iona	#4	10–6	17–13	Semifinals
Canisius	#5	9–7	15–15	Quarterfinals

The table highlights how regular-season performance directly influenced seeding and tournament advancement. Manhattan and Siena, the top two teams in the standings, met in the final, validating the seeding structure. Rider and Iona, as #3 and #4 seeds, pushed deep into the tournament but fell short in the semifinals.

Why It Matters

The 2004 MAAC Tournament was significant not only for crowning a champion but also for shaping postseason opportunities. The winner received an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, a rare chance for mid-major programs to compete on the national stage.

NCAA Tournament Berth: Manhattan earned the MAAC's automatic bid, entering the 2004 NCAA Tournament as a #13 seed in the East Region.
Manhattan's Performance: In the NCAA Tournament, Manhattan lost to #4 seed Pittsburgh 74–52, ending their season with a 21–11 record.
Conference Representation: The MAAC has historically struggled in the NCAA Tournament, making each bid a major achievement for member institutions.
Player Recognition: Manhattan's Wilson Washington was named Tournament MVP after leading his team in scoring and rebounding.
Historical Context: This was Manhattan's second MAAC title, having previously won in 1999, and their first since rejoining the conference in 1996.
Impact on Recruiting: Success in the tournament boosted Manhattan's visibility, aiding future recruiting efforts and program development.

The 2004 tournament exemplified the high stakes of conference play and the importance of postseason success for mid-major programs. It remains a notable chapter in MAAC basketball history.