MAACtion Madness in Atlantic City
Come meet me at (Under the) Boardwalk Hall
The Jersey Shore is a polarizing place, no doubt about it. Whether you are like me and spent some summers there as a kid, or you just got all your information on the area from the show, the fact is, everyone has a comment to make. However, the Jersey Shore is more than just a stereotypically Italian area where people from New York go to get away. It is more than just a beach destination where you and your friend can eat a rum ham while drifting in the ocean – I hope you got that reference. It is more than just a gambling safe haven. While all of these things may seem fantastic, this March, the greatest spectacle to ever grace the Jersey Shore comes to Atlantic City. That’s right, the craziest conference is hosting their conference tournament in the craziest of all locations. Let us all brace ourselves for the beauty of MAACtion as it takes over (Under the) Boardwalk Hall.
Okay, so it is actually the second year that the MAAC is hosting their tournament at Boardwalk Hall, but considering last year’s tournament did not have full capacity crowds, this year’s might as well be the first. Last year's tournament should be examined though. The MAAC used what was probably the weirdest seeding format of any conference. While some conferences like the WCC enlisted the help of KenPom to seed teams with incomplete schedules, and other conferences just used win percentage, the MAAC used total conference wins. In theory, this doesn’t seem that crazy, but it did mean that Iona, who played only nine of their 20 scheduled games and finished with a 6-3 record, was the 9th seed. So when Iona won the tournament, it made the format look even more absurd. Despite this, it can easily just be said, “well that’s the MAAC for you,” and everyone would just nod and agree.
1What makes the tournament even crazier this year is the venue itself. The appropriately named Boardwalk Hall is unlike any other venue that has hosted a college basketball game this year, and possibly even ever. I mean, how many other venues are declared national historic landmarks? The incredible barrel vaulted ceilings give the Hall a truly historic feel. I have probably marveled at pictures of the inside fifty times and I am still blown away that it can be a sports venue. Boardwalk Hall looks like where one would imagine the opera taking place, or at least some other type of show. Many such events are held there; it is the permanent home of the Miss America Pageant and many music legends have played there, including the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
2In looking at the sporting events that have been hosted in the building, the tenants get even wackier. The Hall’s most famous sporting events are its boxing matches – the most prominent probably being Mike Tyson’s fight against Michael Spinks in 1988 – but the list goes on; other events include a 1949 regular season NBA game between the Philadelphia Warriors and Syracuse Nationals, a ton of college hockey games, many tennis matches, WWE events, and even some arena football games. However, the craziest event to have taken place there is undoubtedly the Liberty Bowl. Wait, the Liberty Bowl? The prominent college football game that takes place in Memphis? Yes, that one. The game is known as the Liberty Bowl because it was originally played in Philadelphia, but for one magical season in 1964 before moving to Memphis, the game took place indoors at Boardwalk Hall. WAC representatives Utah beat SoCon representatives West Virginia 32-6.
3As I write this article, the MAAC just released some excellent news: Boardwalk Hall will host the tournament next season as well! Originally slated to host from 2020-2022, the Hall missed out on the 2020 edition, and as already explained, last year’s was not the full experience, so it is reassuring to know there will be another year of madness.
In the year that Iona is perhaps most likely to win the tournament they are famous for always winning, will they finally buckle in the full fan experience at the Boardwalk? Or will we see a new face for the first time in seven years? A lot of basketball will be played before a champion is announced, but if watching the MAAC has taught me anything: whatever the outcome, it is going to be a thrilling ride.
Graphic from https://maacsports.com/
Image from https://www.triphobo.com/
Image from https://wvusports.com/