What Is 2003 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2003 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament was held from March 7–10, 2003, at Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, NY. Niagara won its first title by defeating Siena 70–65 in the final.

Key Facts

The 2003 MAAC Tournament took place from March 7–10, 2003, in Buffalo, NY
Niagara won the championship with a 70–65 victory over Siena
The tournament champion received an automatic bid to the 2003 NCAA Tournament
Marine Midland Arena hosted the event for the third consecutive year
Niagara secured its first MAAC title in program history

Overview

The 2003 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament determined the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's representative for the 2003 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Held annually since 1982, the MAAC Tournament brings together the conference's top teams in a single-elimination format to crown a champion.

This edition marked the 22nd installment of the tournament and featured intense competition among eight qualifying teams. The event culminated in a historic victory for Niagara, which captured its first conference title in program history.

Niagara defeated Siena 70–65 in the championship game on March 10, 2003, securing its first MAAC title after years of near misses in prior tournaments.
The tournament was held at Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York, a venue that had hosted the event since 2001 due to its central location and larger seating capacity.
Eight teams participated in the single-elimination format, including top seeds Siena, Niagara, and Rider, all vying for the NCAA Tournament berth.
Niagara entered as the No. 2 seed in the tournament after finishing second in the regular season with a 13–5 conference record, behind Siena’s 14–4 mark.
The final game drew over 10,000 fans to Marine Midland Arena, reflecting the growing popularity of mid-major conference tournaments during March Madness qualification season.

Bracket and Results

The 2003 MAAC Tournament followed a structured progression from quarterfinals to the championship game, with each round eliminating half the field. Games were played consecutively over four days, culminating in the final on March 10.

Quarterfinals (March 7): No. 1 Siena defeated No. 8 Canisius 78–65, while No. 2 Niagara beat No. 7 Fairfield 68–62 in a tightly contested matchup.
Quarterfinals: No. 3 Rider defeated No. 6 Marist 77–70, and No. 4 Manhattan advanced by beating No. 5 Iona 69–64 in a low-scoring affair.
Semifinals (March 8): Niagara overcame Rider 73–65 behind 24 points from Billy Baron, advancing to their first title game since 1970.
Semifinals: Siena defeated Manhattan 71–64, showcasing strong defense and clutch shooting in the final minutes to reach the championship.
Championship (March 10): Niagara beat Siena 70–65, with senior guard Marvin McCoy scoring 18 points and earning Tournament MVP honors.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of key metrics across recent MAAC Tournaments highlights the significance of the 2003 edition.

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	Score	Location
2001	Siena	Canisius	74–65	Buffalo, NY
2002	Siena	Hampton	82–72	Buffalo, NY
2003	Niagara	Siena	70–65	Buffalo, NY
2004	Manhattan	Niagara	74–69	Buffalo, NY
2005	Loyola (MD)	Manhattan	60–58	Albany, NY

The 2003 tournament broke Siena’s two-year championship streak and marked the first time Niagara claimed the title. The close score reflected the competitive balance in the MAAC, where games often hinge on late-game execution and defensive stops.

Why It Matters

The 2003 MAAC Tournament had lasting implications for the conference and its member institutions, particularly Niagara. Winning the title elevated the school’s national profile and provided a rare NCAA Tournament appearance.

Niagara earned an automatic bid to the 2003 NCAA Tournament as the MAAC representative, facing No. 1 seed Pittsburgh in the first round, where they lost 74–51.
The victory boosted recruiting for Niagara, helping attract higher-profile players in subsequent years due to increased media exposure and program credibility.
Siena’s loss ended a two-year title run, but the Saints still earned national respect for consistently strong performances in conference and non-conference play.
The tournament format reinforced parity in the MAAC, demonstrating that even mid-major programs could produce competitive, high-stakes basketball games.
Attendance and TV coverage improved during this period, with ESPN broadcasting the final, increasing visibility for MAAC schools and their athletic departments.
Marine Midland Arena became a staple venue, hosting the event from 2001 to 2005, which helped establish a neutral-site tradition similar to other mid-major conferences.

The 2003 tournament remains a landmark year in MAAC history, symbolizing both the end of Siena’s dominance and the rise of new contenders like Niagara on the national stage.