What Is 2008 MAAC men's basketball tournament

Overview

The 2008 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship event for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) during the 2007–2008 NCAA Division I basketball season. It determined the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament, with all 10 MAAC teams participating in a single-elimination format.

Hosted at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York, the tournament ran from March 6 to March 10, 2008. Siena College emerged as champions, defeating Niagara University in the final game to claim their first MAAC title since 1999.

• March 6–10, 2008 marked the official dates of the tournament, following the end of the regular season.
• Times Union Center in Albany, NY served as the neutral-site host venue for the third consecutive year.
• Siena entered as the No. 1 seed after finishing the regular season with a 14–4 conference record.
• Niagara was the No. 2 seed, having won 13 conference games and finishing second in the standings.
• 83–79 was the final score in the championship game, with Siena overcoming a late rally by Niagara.

How It Works

The MAAC Tournament follows a structured single-elimination format involving all 10 conference teams, seeded by regular-season performance. Lower seeds play in the opening round, with winners advancing through a bracket to determine the automatic NCAA qualifier.

• Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination bracket with 10 teams. Seeds 7–10 play in the first round, with higher seeds receiving byes.
• Seeding: Teams are seeded 1–10 based on regular-season conference records, with tiebreakers used if necessary.
• Location: Since 2006, the Times Union Center in Albany has been the designated host site for the tournament.
• Championship Game: The final determines the MAAC champion and awards an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
• Automatic Bid: The winner receives the conference's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
• Eligibility: All 10 MAAC members are eligible, provided they meet NCAA and conference participation requirements.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the top four teams in the 2008 MAAC Tournament based on seeding, record, and performance:

The bracket structure favored higher seeds, but upsets were possible due to the compact format. Siena’s path included wins over Loyola (MD), Monmouth, and Niagara. The championship game was tightly contested, with Siena pulling away late thanks to strong free-throw shooting and defensive stops. The tournament showcased mid-major talent and provided national exposure for MAAC programs.

Why It Matters

The 2008 MAAC Tournament was significant for Siena, which returned to the NCAA Tournament after a nine-year absence. It highlighted the competitive balance within the conference and the importance of postseason performance for smaller schools.

• Siena’s NCAA bid marked their first appearance since 1989, boosting national recognition and program momentum.
• Davidson’s Stephen Curry was not in this tournament, but Siena’s win underscored the MAAC’s ability to produce tournament-worthy teams.
• Albany as a host city strengthened the MAAC’s partnership with local organizers and increased regional fan engagement.
• Single-elimination pressure tested team depth and coaching strategy, especially for mid-tier seeds.
• Television exposure on ESPN2 and ESPNU helped promote MAAC basketball to a national audience.
• Player development was evident, with Siena’s Alex Franklin and Niagara’s Charron Fisher earning All-Tournament honors.

The 2008 tournament remains a milestone for Siena and a model of mid-major conference competitiveness, demonstrating how a well-run postseason can elevate teams on the national stage.