What Is 2013 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament took place from March 5–11, 2013, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. The winner, Iona College, earned an automatic bid to the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

Key Facts

Tournament dates: March 5–11, 2013
Champion: Iona Gaels defeated Canisius 74–60 in the final
Venue: MassMutual Center, Springfield, MA
Iona earned the MAAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament
Top seed: No. 1 Iona entered as the defending conference tournament champion

Overview

The 2013 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) during the 2012–13 NCAA Division I season. It determined which team would represent the conference in the NCAA Tournament, following a single-elimination format.

Hosted at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, the tournament featured the top nine teams from the MAAC regular season. The event ran from March 5 to March 11, 2013, culminating in Iona College claiming its second consecutive title.

Iona Gaels won the tournament by defeating Canisius 74–60 in the championship game on March 11, securing their automatic NCAA bid.
The tournament began with a play-in game between the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds, with Manhattan defeating Quinnipiac 67–61 on March 5.
MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA, served as the host venue for the third consecutive year, accommodating over 8,000 fans per game.
David Laury of Iona was named Tournament MVP after averaging 18.3 points and 7.0 rebounds across three games.
The MAAC used a modified bracket format where only the top eight teams advanced past the first round, despite nine teams qualifying.

How It Works

The MAAC Tournament follows a structured single-elimination format with seeding based on regular-season performance. Teams compete in a predetermined bracket, with higher seeds hosting early-round games until the final.

Format: The tournament includes nine teams, with the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds playing in a single play-in game to reach the quarterfinals. The winner advances to face the top seed.
Seeding: Teams are seeded 1 through 9 based on conference win-loss records, with tiebreakers used when necessary. In 2013, Iona earned the No. 1 seed with a 15–3 conference record.
Game Locations: Early rounds are hosted by higher seeds, but the semifinals and championship are held at a neutral site—MassMutual Center—from 2011 to 2013.
Championship Prize: The winner receives the MAAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, regardless of their national ranking or RPI.
Player Awards: A Most Outstanding Player is selected after the final game; in 2013, David Laury of Iona earned the honor based on scoring and rebounding performance.
Historical Context: Iona’s 2013 title marked their second straight MAAC Tournament win, having also won in 2012, making them the first repeat champion since 2004.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 MAAC Tournament compared to recent editions in terms of format, attendance, and outcomes:

Year	Champion	Runner-up	Championship Score	Neutral Site?
2013	Iona	Canisius	74–60	Yes (Springfield, MA)
2012	Iona	BYU (independent)	80–76	Yes
2011	Marist	Canisius	70–68	Yes
2010	Jersey City State	Mount St. Mary's	78–76 (OT)	No (hosted by higher seed)
2009	Siena	Marist	72–65	No

The shift to a neutral site in 2011 marked a significant change in the MAAC Tournament’s structure. By 2013, Springfield had become a consistent host, improving attendance and fan engagement. This contrasted with earlier years when higher seeds hosted all games, giving top teams a distinct home-court advantage.

Why It Matters

The 2013 MAAC Tournament had lasting implications for conference parity, team legacies, and national exposure. It highlighted Iona’s dominance and helped shape future tournament formats.

Iona’s repeat title solidified their status as a MAAC powerhouse, becoming the first team since 2004 to win back-to-back championships.
The tournament provided national exposure for mid-major programs, with ESPN broadcasting the final game to a wide audience.
Canisius’ runner-up finish marked their best tournament result since 1996, boosting morale and recruiting efforts.
The use of a neutral site in 2013 promoted fairness and increased attendance compared to campus-hosted finals.
Automatic NCAA bids like Iona’s allow underdog teams to compete on the national stage, exemplifying March Madness’ unpredictability.
The tournament format influenced later changes, with the MAAC expanding to 11 teams and adjusting play-in structures by 2015.

Ultimately, the 2013 MAAC Tournament was a pivotal moment in conference history, blending competitive balance with rising program profiles. It demonstrated how mid-major conferences can produce compelling postseason drama and national contenders.