BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — As the 2004 Aéropostale Sun Belt Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship nears, fans and media alike will notice some changes.

The tournament, slated for March 6-9 at Western Kentucky University, will be held at newly renovated E.A. Diddle Arena. The arena was undergoing construction when the tournament was held there last year.

Since then, though, the finished product includes all-new seating, concession and restroom areas, a new playing floor, elevator access to all levels and new sound and lighting systems.

Another change is the tournament field.

Unlike previous years, the tournament is limited to the top eight teams from both the men’s and women’s leagues. The field is determined by the top eight winning percentages in Sun Belt games.

Once the field is determined, the teams will be paired up according to seeds.

The quarterfinals will take place on March 6 and 7, the semifinals are March 8, and the championship games are set for March 9.

“It has been such a marathon in past years, requiring six days and 20 games to complete,” said WKU athletics director Dr. Wood Selig, whose men’s and women’s basketball teams are the defending league champions.

“We now have a compact, four-day, 14-game tournament featuring the top teams from 2003-04 playing at one site.

“The result is considerably less missed class time, considerably less travel expense for institutions and fans, and a more enjoyable championship experience for all involved."

ESPN-plus will televise both semifinal contests, as well as the women’s championship game. ESPN2 is slated to air the men’s championship game.

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