What Is 2020 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2020 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament was canceled on March 12, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, just before the quarterfinals. It was scheduled to conclude at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York, with the winner earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Key Facts

The 2020 MAAC Tournament was canceled on March 12, 2020, amid rising COVID-19 concerns
The tournament began on March 10 with first-round games at campus sites
Top seed was Iona College, earning a double bye to the quarterfinals
The MAAC champion would have received an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament
This was the first MAAC Tournament cancellation in history

Overview

The 2020 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's annual postseason event to determine its NCAA Tournament representative. Scheduled from March 10–14, 2020, it featured 11 teams competing in a single-elimination format across multiple venues.

However, the tournament was abruptly canceled on March 12, 2020, just before the quarterfinals, due to the emerging global COVID-19 pandemic. This marked the first time in MAAC history that the tournament did not crown a champion, disrupting postseason plans for all participating schools.

Iona College entered as the top seed after finishing 15–3 in conference play and earned a double bye to the quarterfinals.
Canisius College hosted the first-round game on March 10, defeating Siena 76–62 in the only completed first-round matchup.
The Times Union Center in Albany, New York, was set to host the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship game from March 12–14.
Each of the 11 MAAC teams qualified for the tournament, with seeds 1–6 receiving byes into later rounds.
Quinnipiac University was the defending 2019 champion, having defeated Marist 74–61 in the previous year’s final.

How It Works

The MAAC Tournament follows a structured seeding and bracket system designed to reward regular-season performance while ensuring competitive balance. Teams qualify based on conference standings, with higher seeds receiving advantages in scheduling and venue.

Seeding: Teams are seeded 1–11 based on conference win-loss records, with tiebreakers used when necessary. The top six seeds earned byes in 2020.
Format: The tournament used a single-elimination format with first-round games hosted by higher seeds, and later rounds centralized in Albany.
Automatic Bid: The winner receives the MAAC's automatic qualification to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, a major incentive for all participants.
Home Advantage: First-round games were played at campus sites, giving higher seeds a significant edge in crowd support and travel logistics.
Double Bye: The top two seeds, Iona and Saint Peter's, received double byes, advancing directly to the quarterfinals without playing early rounds.
Travel & Venues: Starting with the quarterfinals, games shifted to the neutral Times Union Center, a 12,500-seat arena in Albany, NY.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2018, 2019, and planned 2020 MAAC Tournaments:

Year	Champion	Finals Venue	Games Completed	Automatic NCAA Bid
2018	Stetson University	Times Union Center, Albany	9	Yes
2019	Quinnipiac University	Times Union Center, Albany	9	Yes
2020	No champion	Times Union Center, Albany	1	No
2017	Iona College	Times Union Center, Albany	9	Yes
2016	Monmouth University	Times Union Center, Albany	9	Yes

The 2020 tournament stands out due to its abrupt cancellation after only one game. Unlike previous years, no team was declared champion, and the NCAA bid was not awarded. This disruption highlighted the vulnerability of postseason events to public health crises and led to widespread changes in how collegiate sports are managed during emergencies.

Why It Matters

The cancellation of the 2020 MAAC Tournament had significant implications for student-athletes, coaches, and conference operations. It underscored the unpredictable nature of sports in a global health crisis and reshaped how leagues plan for contingencies.

Lost Opportunity: Senior players lost their final chance to compete, including potential NCAA Tournament appearances, impacting their legacies.
Financial Impact: The MAAC lost revenue from ticket sales, broadcasting, and NCAA unit distributions tied to tournament success.
Precedent Setting: The MAAC was among the first conferences to cancel, influencing the NCAA to call off all winter and spring championships.
Player Eligibility: The NCAA later granted an extra year of eligibility, but the emotional toll on athletes remained significant.
Health Protocols: The event accelerated the adoption of strict health and safety measures in college sports for the 2020–21 season.
Media Coverage: National attention focused on mid-major conferences like the MAAC, increasing visibility despite the cancellation.

The 2020 MAAC Tournament remains a pivotal moment in college basketball history, symbolizing both the fragility of athletic competition and the resilience required to adapt in uncertain times.