The AE announced today that UAlbany and SEFCU Arena will host the 2013 Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament. The event will be held from March 7-10, 2013 in the 4,000+ facility. SEFCU Arena hosted the 2009 America East Championship and received rave reviews by many in the conference. The tournament was hosted by Hartford last season.

While the tournament for next year is set, future tournaments could have a much different look. That is because the conference could be in line for major changes. Over the past week, many mid-major conferences have announced the movement of teams for the 2013-14 season. San Jose State and Utah St. are moving to the Mountain West, while North Texas, FIU and and Louisiana Tech are heading to Conference-USA. The biggest move comes from the Atlantic-10, as they have picked up Horizon League and national fan favorite Butler. While the Butler move is a basketball move, it seems many conference, especially in the Northeast, are preparing for some big moves. The biggest reason? As we have said a million times...Football.

The NY Post is reporting that a few Northeast schools are possibly looking to create a new conference for basketball. According to the NY Post:

Most of those programs are in the Colonial Athletic Association but there are others in the America East Conference that could be in play. The timetable could be decided somewhat by the decisions made by George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth, two NCAA Tournament-proven programs.

The decision seems to be based on the actions of George Mason and VCU. Both have been named prime candidates to join the Atlantic-10 as well. Based on the reports, it could mean an entire revamping of Northeast conferences. Delaware, UNH and Richmond could lead the push. All have FCS football programs. Add to the fact that Stony Brook, UAlbany and Maine all have maintaining and/or rising football programs, they could also play a factor.

While nothing is guaranteed, it throws the future of the AE and other mid-major conference in the Northeast up in the air. As more develops, UnrankedAE.com will be on top of it.

To help get us through the much-too-long off season, I thought I'd offer a quick recap of my Road Warrior highlights from the 2011-12 season. In true media guide form, here are the season highs in some traditional statistical categories for the ‘road' games I was fortunate enough to attend... representing both UAlbany and its opponents.

2011-12 Season: 14 Games in 12 Arenas in 7 States
2011-12 Road Record: 6-8
Total 2011-12 Trip Mileage: 5,581 miles

Mileage Equivalent To:
20.08 round trips between UAlbany's SEFCU Arena and Binghamton's Events Center
1.005 round trips between New York City and Los Angeles
22.4% of the circumference of the Earth at the equator
2.34% of the average distance from the Earth to the Moon

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Mark Macon is out the door in Binghamton. The teams has also lost two of its best players. Binghamton University Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott said a national search is underway for a replacement. The problem is, on the last day of April, with recruiting going full steam and many prime candidates already gone, who can Binghamton bring in to run the show? Are any big names even willing to step in to run a program that is in such bad shape it could take two or three years to build a average program? Bingo does have a solid fan base and facilities to use in finding a replacement, however it seems that the administration made a move way to late in the game.

Let's look at who the Bearcats could go after:

Bobby Gonzalez - Should be the first call that the program makes. He was an assistant for Bingo back inn the late 1980's and is a native of Binghamton. He has a solid win percentage and knows NY and Northeast Basketball. However, with a program that is trying to paint a new image of itself, are they willing to go with a guy who didn't exactly have that clean image with Seton Hall?

Eric Eaton - The former UAlbany assistant and current Quinnipiac assistant could be a solid pick-up if he is interested in a coaching gig. He knows the conference and is highly regarded in the Northeast and the Mid-Major circuit. He knows the AE and is a fresh young face.

Jayson Gee - A highly regarded assistant coach, Gee has been solid for Cleveland State. He knows the NY landscape, spending time at St. Bonaventure as an assistant. He has head coaching experience and was very successful with Charleston. However, is Binghamton worth leaving over being part of a program that is getting national attention that could lead to an even bigger job?

Orlando Antigua - The Kentucky assistant is new to the game. However, a fresh young face maybe exactly what Binghamton needs. What do they have to lose? He has strong basketball connections, is a NY guy and is said to be a great recruiter. However, winning titles as an assistant at Kentucky with a top-notch coach maybe a lot more fun.

Don Anderson - Do the Bearcats rolls the dice and give Macon's assistant a shot? The guy has a solid coaching resume, knows the AE and Bingo. Many Bingo and AE fans know he has the ability and is a hard worker.

Did we miss someone? Probably. Give us your take on who Bingo should look to get or you think will be interested.