What Is 2013 CAA Men's Basketball Tournament

Overview

The 2013 CAA Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship event for the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) during the 2012–2013 NCAA Division I basketball season. It determined which team would receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Twelve teams from the CAA participated in the single-elimination tournament, seeded based on regular-season performance. The event was held at the Richmond Coliseum, a neutral site that had hosted the tournament multiple times before.

• March 8–11, 2013 were the official dates of the tournament, culminating in the championship game on March 11.
• Richmond Coliseum in Virginia served as the host venue, providing a central location for fans and teams.
• James Madison entered the tournament as the No. 5 seed but emerged as champions, defeating top-seeded Delaware.
• The final score of the championship game was 68–67, marking one of the closest finishes in CAA Tournament history.
• James Madison earned the conference’s automatic bid to the 2013 NCAA Tournament, their first appearance since 1994.

How It Works

The CAA Men's Basketball Tournament follows a structured format to determine the conference champion and NCAA Tournament representative. Teams qualify based on regular-season records, and seeding determines the bracket matchups.

• Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination format with 12 teams, meaning one loss eliminates a team from contention.
• Seeding: Teams are seeded 1 through 12 based on their regular-season conference records, with tiebreakers applied as needed.
• First Round: The four lowest-seeded teams (9–12) play in the opening round, with winners advancing to the quarterfinals.
• Quarterfinals: The eight advancing teams (four winners from the first round and seeds 1–4) compete in best-of-eight matchups.
• Semifinals: The two semifinal games follow the quarterfinals, held on the third day of the tournament.
• Championship: The final is held on the last day, with the winner receiving the CAA's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2013 CAA Tournament compared to previous editions in key metrics:

The 2013 tournament marked a shift as James Madison broke VCU's recent dominance. Unlike previous years, where VCU won three of the prior four titles, 2013 saw a new champion emerge after VCU left the CAA for the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2012. The close score reflected the competitive nature of the restructured conference.

Why It Matters

The 2013 CAA Tournament had significant implications for the participating schools, the conference, and the NCAA Tournament landscape. It highlighted the parity and depth of the CAA following the departure of powerhouse teams.

• James Madison's victory ended a 19-year NCAA Tournament drought for the program, boosting national visibility.
• The 68–67 final score underscored the high-stakes pressure and narrow margins in postseason play.
• Delaware, led by future NBA player Davon Usher, gained national attention despite the loss.
• The tournament demonstrated that mid-major conferences could produce competitive, unpredictable outcomes.
• Richmond Coliseum’s continued use emphasized the value of neutral-site championships for fan engagement.
• The event contributed to the CAA's reputation as a strong mid-major conference in NCAA basketball.

The 2013 CAA Men's Basketball Tournament remains a memorable chapter in conference history, symbolizing both transition and opportunity in college basketball.