What Is 2009 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament took place from March 6–9, 2009, at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, NY. Siena defeated Niagara 72–65 in the final to win its second consecutive title and earn an NCAA Tournament berth.

Key Facts

The 2009 MAAC Tournament occurred from March 6–9, 2009
Siena won the championship with a 72–65 victory over Niagara
Siena earned the MAAC's automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Tournament
The tournament was held at the Times Union Center (formerly Pepsi Arena) in Albany, NY
Top-seeded Siena entered the tournament with a 14–4 conference record

Overview

The 2009 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, concluding the 2008–2009 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. It featured eight teams competing in a single-elimination format to determine the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament.

Hosted at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York, the event drew strong regional attention. Siena, the top seed, emerged victorious, defeating Niagara in the final to claim its second straight MAAC title and maintain its dominance in the conference.

March 6–9, 2009: The tournament spanned four days, beginning with first-round games and culminating in the championship final on March 9.
Eight teams participated: The MAAC included all eligible teams, seeded based on regular-season conference records, with no byes in early rounds.
Siena was the #1 seed: The Saints finished the regular season with a 14–4 MAAC record, earning home-court advantage through seeding.
Championship game score: Siena defeated Niagara 72–65 in the final, led by standout performances from Kenny Hasbrouck and Alex Franklin.
NCAA Tournament berth: The win secured Siena the conference's automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the second round.

How It Works

The MAAC Tournament follows a structured single-elimination format designed to crown a conference champion and award an automatic NCAA bid. Teams qualify based on regular-season performance, and seeding determines the bracket layout.

Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination bracket with all eight conference teams, meaning one loss eliminates a team from contention.
Seeding: Teams are seeded 1 through 8 based on their regular-season conference win-loss records, with tiebreakers applied as needed.
Location: Since 2003, the MAAC Tournament has been held at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY, providing a neutral but centralized venue.
Automatic bid: The winner receives the MAAC's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
Game progression: First-round games feature seeds 5 vs. 8 and 6 vs. 7, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, and the championship game.
Player awards: The MAAC Tournament Most Valuable Player was awarded to Kenny Hasbrouck of Siena, who scored 16 points in the final.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2009 MAAC Tournament compares to recent editions in key metrics:

Year	Champion	Runner-up	Championship Score	Location
2009	Siena	Niagara	72–65	Albany, NY
2008	Siena	Monmouth	74–65	Albany, NY
2007	Marist	Niagara	70–67	Albany, NY
2006	Manhattan	Niagara	60–58	Albany, NY
2005	Loyola	Bucknell	65–63	Albany, NY

This table illustrates Siena’s back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009, a rare achievement in MAAC history. The consistency of the Times Union Center as host since 2003 underscores the conference’s strategy for building a stable postseason identity, while close scores reflect the competitive balance among member teams.

Why It Matters

The 2009 MAAC Tournament was significant not only for Siena’s repeat championship but also for the broader implications within mid-major college basketball. It highlighted the conference’s ability to produce NCAA Tournament contenders through consistent tournament organization and competitive balance.

National exposure: Siena’s NCAA Tournament appearance brought national attention to the MAAC, especially after defeating #3 seed Ohio State in the first round.
Program momentum: Winning consecutive titles solidified Siena as a dominant force in the conference during the late 2000s.
Recruiting boost: Success in March enhanced Siena’s ability to attract talent from the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions.
Financial benefits: NCAA Tournament revenue sharing provided increased funding for MAAC member athletic departments.
Conference credibility: Repeated success helped the MAAC gain respect among other mid-major leagues in national rankings.
Player legacy: Kenny Hasbrouck’s performance cemented his status as one of Siena’s all-time greats and a MAAC Tournament legend.

In summary, the 2009 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament was a pivotal moment for the conference and Siena, combining competitive drama with long-term institutional impact. Its structure, outcomes, and legacy continue to influence how mid-major tournaments are viewed in college basketball.