What Is 2004 CAA Men's Basketball Tournament

Overview

The 2004 CAA Men's Basketball Tournament was the 18th edition of the Colonial Athletic Association's postseason championship, determining which team would receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Held from March 5 to March 7, 2004, it featured eight conference teams competing in a single-elimination format.

The tournament culminated in a decisive victory by George Mason, who defeated the top-seeded UNC Wilmington 71–59 in the final. This win marked George Mason's second CAA tournament title and secured their return to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year absence.

• George Mason entered the tournament as the #3 seed with a 12–4 conference record and a 20–9 overall record.
• UNC Wilmington, the regular-season champion, was the #1 seed with a 15–1 conference record and a 22–7 overall mark.
• The championship game was played at the Richmond Coliseum, a neutral site that hosted the event from 1993 to 2008.
• Richard Hendrix of George Mason was named Tournament MVP after averaging 18.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
• This victory gave George Mason the CAA's automatic bid to the 2004 NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the first round to Michigan State.

How It Works

The CAA Men's Basketball Tournament uses a single-elimination format involving the top eight teams from the regular-season standings. Seeding is based on conference performance, and games progress from quarterfinals to semifinals and then the championship.

• Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination bracket. Teams are seeded 1 through 8 based on regular-season conference records.
• Qualification: Only the top eight teams in the CAA standings qualify. Tiebreakers include head-to-head results and records against common opponents.
• Location: The Richmond Coliseum hosted the event from 1993 to 2008. It provided a neutral site with a capacity of approximately 10,500.
• Championship Game: The final is a single game, typically held on a Sunday. The winner receives the conference's automatic NCAA bid.
• Automatic Bid: The tournament champion earns the CAA's automatic qualification to the NCAA Tournament, regardless of their regular-season performance.
• Player Awards: A Most Outstanding Player (MVP) is selected after the final game, based on performance throughout the tournament.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top four teams in the 2004 CAA Tournament based on seeding, record, and outcome:

This table highlights how seeding correlated with regular-season success, though only George Mason advanced through all rounds. UNC Wilmington, despite the best record, fell short in the final. Hofstra, the #2 seed, was eliminated by George Mason in the semifinals, 68–62. William & Mary and Delaware both exited in the quarterfinals. The data shows that while regular-season performance predicted seeding, it did not guarantee tournament success.

Why It Matters

The 2004 CAA Tournament had lasting implications for George Mason and the conference’s national profile. It demonstrated that mid-major programs could compete at a high level and earn national recognition through postseason success.

• George Mason’s championship marked their second CAA title, following their 1995 win, and revived their NCAA Tournament hopes.
• The win elevated coach Jim Larrañaga’s reputation, contributing to his later success, including a 2006 Final Four run.
• UNC Wilmington, despite the loss, received praise for their dominant regular season and strong defensive performance.
• The tournament showcased the competitive balance of the CAA, where lower seeds could defeat top teams on any given day.
• Attendance and media coverage in Richmond highlighted the growing popularity of mid-major conference tournaments.
• The event underscored the importance of March Madness qualification, as even a single win could define a program’s season.

The 2004 CAA Men's Basketball Tournament remains a pivotal moment in the conference’s history, illustrating how postseason play can elevate teams and shape legacies beyond the regular season.