What Is 2014 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament

Overview

The 2014 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) during the 2013–14 NCAA Division I season. It featured the top eight teams in the conference standings competing in a single-elimination format.

Hosted at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York, the tournament concluded with Manhattan College claiming its first MAAC title since 1995. The victory secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking a significant achievement for the program.

• March 6–10, 2014 were the official dates of the tournament, with all games held consecutively in one venue.
• The Times Union Center in Albany, NY, served as the host arena, a neutral site used for the MAAC tournament from 2009 to 2014.
• Manhattan College entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed but won four games to claim the championship.
• The final score of the championship game was 79–73, with Manhattan defeating Fordham in the title match.
• Manhattan’s Jasper mascot became a symbol of celebration after the team’s first NCAA Tournament berth in 19 years.

How It Works

The MAAC Tournament follows a structured single-elimination format designed to crown a conference champion and award an NCAA Tournament bid. Teams qualify based on regular-season performance, with seeding determined by conference win-loss records.

• Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination bracket. The top eight teams in the MAAC standings qualify, seeded No. 1 through No. 8.
• Seeding: Teams are seeded by conference record. Tiebreakers include head-to-head results and point differentials in matchups between tied teams.
• First Round: The No. 5 vs. No. 8 and No. 6 vs. No. 7 seeds play in the opening games on March 6, 2014.
• Quarterfinals: Winners advance to face higher seeds; games were held on March 7, with matchups like No. 1 vs. No. 8 winner.
• Semifinals: Held on March 8, the semifinal round featured Manhattan defeating Iona and Fordham beating Quinnipiac.
• Championship Game: Played on March 10, 2014, the final determined the automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2014 MAAC Tournament compared to previous editions in terms of structure, attendance, and outcomes:

The 2014 tournament stood out because Manhattan was not the top seed but still won the title, unlike previous years where higher seeds often prevailed. Attendance averaged around 3,500 per game, consistent with recent MAAC tournaments held in Albany. The event marked the fifth consecutive year the tournament was hosted at the Times Union Center before relocating in 2015.

Why It Matters

The 2014 MAAC Tournament had lasting implications for player development, program visibility, and postseason opportunities. Its outcome reshaped perceptions within the conference and provided momentum for future seasons.

• Manhattan’s NCAA bid ended a 19-year drought, boosting recruiting and alumni engagement for the program.
• The underdog narrative of a No. 3 seed winning resonated nationally, drawing media attention to mid-major basketball.
• Star player George Beamon of Manhattan scored 23 points in the final, cementing his legacy in program history.
• The tournament format highlighted the importance of seeding and home-court advantage in conference play.
• It served as a platform for exposure, with games broadcast on ESPN3 and regional networks.
• The MAAC’s automatic NCAA bid system ensures competitive balance and incentivizes strong regular-season performance.

Overall, the 2014 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament remains a benchmark for mid-major conference excellence and Cinderella-story potential in college basketball.