America East tourney moves to Albany

The America East men’s and women’s basketball tournament will have a new home, at least for next year.

The league announced Thursday that the combined 2013 tournament will be held at Albany’s SEFCU Arena, a 4,538-seat campus facility. The tournament was held in Hartford the last three years. Albany last hosted the tourney in 2009.

The league’s Athletic Directors voted for the change on Thursday morning. 

“The first three years of the combined basketball championship have been a great success and we are excited to take the 2013 tournament to Albany,” America East Commissioner Amy Huchthausen said. “Albany served as a great host for the 2009 men’s championship, one of our most successful in recent memory, and will no doubt be so again in 2013.”

The format of the tournament won’t change. The first, quarter and semifinal rounds will be held in Albany, while the championship game will be played on the home court of the highest remaining seed. 

If anyone thinks it is unfair that Albany will have home court advantage, don’t worry, each school is given an allotment of tickets to sell to its fans/students.