MEAC Tournament Preview originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Like every other conference in college basketball, the MEAC went through an interesting season while dealing with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Multiple teams (Bethune-Cookman and Maryland Eastern Shore) opted out of the season, while Howard was forced to end its year early after issues with COVID-19. Delaware State is also ineligible for postseason play, though at 0-11 they likely wouldn't have been a threat to steal an NCAA Tournament bid.
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The missing teams leave just seven eligible contenders for the postseason tournament and a chance a March glory.
The first game will take place Sunday, March 7. Then, once there are six teams remaining (seeded into North and South divisions rather than overall in the conference) the conference tournament will resume on March 11.
North Carolina A&T is the favorite by record with its 7-1 mark, though Coppin State and Norfolk State each enter the postseason on winning streaks of at least three games. Coppin State also has Anthony Tarke, the MEAC Player of the Year and also the Defensive Player of the Year. His brother, Nendah, also plays at Coppin State and was the conference's Rookie of the Year.
Whichever team is left standing on Saturday won't be seeded highly in the NCAA Tournament, but they'll still have the chance to make noise against whichever major program is standing in their way.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2021 MEAC Tournament.
MEAC TOURNAMENT 2021 INFORMATION:
When is the 2021 MEAC Tournament?
The MEAC Tournament will begin on March 7, and then finish from March 11-13. The MEAC Championship Game is on Saturday, March 13.
Where is the 2021 MEAC Tournament?
The bulk of the MEAC Tournament will take place at Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, VA. The only game that will be played elsewhere is the first round, where North Carolina Central will host as the higher seed.
How to watch the 2021 MEAC Tournament?
The first three rounds of the MEAC Tournament will be broadcast on FloHoops. The MEAC Championship Game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Who is the defending 2020 MEAC Champion?
No team was crowned champion last season after the coronavirus halted the tournament after the first four games. North Carolina Central was the top overall seed thanks to their 13-3 conference record. They were also the most recent winners in 2019, their third straight championship.
2021 MEAC TOURNAMENT BRACKET:
MEAC Tournament First Round (3/7, Times ET)
- S3 North Carolina Central vs. S4 South Carolina State, TBD
MEAC Tournament Quarterfinals (3/11, Times ET)
- N3 Morgan State vs. S2 Florida A&M, 6:00 p.m.
-S3 North Carolina Central vs N2 Norfolk State, 8:00 pm.
MEAC Tournament Semifinals (3/12, Times ET)
- TBD vs. N1 Coppin State, 6:00 p.m.
- TBD vs. S1 North Carolina A&T State, 8:00 p.m.
MEAC Tournament Championship (3/13, Time ET)
- TBD at TBD, 1:00 pm (ESPN2)
