Boston University To Host America East Men's Hoop Tournament
May 8, 2003 | Men's Basketball
BOSTON - Boston University has been named the host institution forthe 2004 Choice Hotels International America East Men's Basketball Championship. The decision was reached by a vote on the conference's athletic directors at a meeting held at the University of Hartford.
This year's tournament will feature all 10 of the conference's teams. Last year, only eight teams participated as Binghamton University was not eligible for the tournament. Next season, the Bearcats will be eligible as will conference newcomer University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
The first round of the 2004 tournament will feature the seventh-place team playing the 10th-place team and number eight against number nine on Friday, March 5. The two winners will advance to the quarterfinals on Saturday, March 6. The four survivors will qualify for the semifinals on Sunday, March 7. The games all three days will be played at B.U.'s Walter Brown Arena. Then, on Saturday, March 13, the America East title game will be played at the home court of the higher remaining seed. The title game will be televised live on ESPN. This will mark the second straight year that the Terriers will be hosting the tournament. In the 2003 tournament, both the Terriers and Vermont advanced from the semifinals to meet in the title game that was played at B.U.'s Case Gymnasium. There, the Catamounts edged the Terriers, 56-55.
"We are happy Boston University was chosen to host the championship again this season," Terrier athletic director Gary Strickler was quoted as saying. "Our staff takes great pride in being able to offer another first-rate event for the student athletes, coaches, administrators, and fans of America East."
"We are excited that the Choice Hotels International America East Men's Basketball Championship will return to Boston, one of the nation's great sports markets," said league commissioner Chris Monasch. "Walter Brown Arena, and the central location of the campus relative to the other America East member institutions, give our fans a tremendous opportunity to enjoy three great days of college basketball."
Game times and ticket information for the 2004 tournament will be announced at a later date.
