Ensor: MAAC nearing end of process to pick next site for tournaments
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament is set to begin next week in Atlantic City, but where it will be held next season is still being processed.
At least that was the message from commissioner Rich Ensor during a media availability on Tuesday.
“I hope by the time we get down there next week we’ll have some answers for you,” Ensor said.
The retiring commissioner confirmed that the university presidents have voted, but they wanted to “explore a couple of things,” which has delayed an announcement.
The league has three options on the table — a return to Atlantic City, reuniting with old flame Albany or a hybrid model at the UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. — although Ensor all but ruled out the hybrid bid from the UBS Arena that would have the first and quarterfinal rounds played on campus sites before shifting to the neutral venue for the semifinals and final.
“They want all 11 schools at one site,” he said. “That was voted unanimously. They want all 22 teams — men’s and women’s — at the same site.”
That leaves Atlantic City or Albany. When the tournament shifted from Albany to AC for the 2019-20 season it came after the presidents gave Ensor a directive to find neutrality. The Siena men play their homes games at MVP Arena is Albany.
The MAAC inked a three-year deal with Atlantic City, but the tournament was greatly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in the first two years, and the sides agreed to a one-year extension to keep the tournament at the Jersey Shore through this season.
“I would have preferred it move along a little quicker,” Ensor said. “You sometimes have to go through these review processes that when you come out on the other end people feel satisfied that they were heard. Maybe not everybody
agrees with everybody’s position, but we were able to come to a consensus where to head.”
Ensor also addressed the tournament’s format after Iona coach Rick Pitino was critical of the structure once his team clinched the No. 1 overall seed this weekend.
“You are going to have to win three games to get to the (automatic qualifier),” Ensor said. “I can tell you that the feedback from 95% of the coaches and student-athletes is that they like the format as it is. They like the fact that you get to go to one site when you play these games.
“I understand when you are in the top seed you might want to have it a little easier than the MAAC provides, but that is also the challenge and beauty of mid-major basketball. Everything is on the line, it’s not like if you lose in the quarterfinals you are still getting an at-large bid to the NCAA. It’s that focus and ability to win that championship that is important. We also think the regular season determines the byes and it also gives you the opportunity to get ready for the championship, but you have to bring it for three days in Atlantic City. Last year Saint Peter’s showed us all how that can work out if you’re not the top seed.”