Binghamton was initially slated as the #5 seed in the tournament. However, due to a series of scandals surrounding the program, the Bearcats announced they would sit out the tournament. According to The New York Times, the conference's other members pressured Binghamton to sit out.[1] Conference commissioner Patrick Nero, however, said the decision was Binghamton's alone.[2] Therefore this led to the original #6 seed Hartford Hawks to become the #5 seed, the #7 seed New Hampshire Wildcats to become #6, and the cancellation of the first-round game between UMBC and Albany who become the #7 and #8 seeds in the tournament.
This was the first time in America East Conference history that the Men's and Women's basketball tournaments were held at the same arena over the same weekend.
It was also the first time the Women's Championship game was not held at a 'neutral site' and was played at the highest remaining seed's home arena.
