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2022 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament Basics

Dates

Wednesday and Thursday, March 9 and 10 (quarterfinals); Friday, March 11 (semifinals); Saturday, March 12 (championship)

Format

Traditional bracket with split quarterfinal doubleheaders to protect the top two seeds

Site

The Norfolk (Va.) Scope is the home of the event for the 10th straight time.

TV/Streaming Info

ESPN2 will air the final on Selection Saturday afternoon. Either ESPN+ or ESPN3 will stream the quarters and semis.

Participants

With the MEAC reduced to eight teams due to realignment, all of them will travel to Norfolk to play for the title.

Downloadable Bracket

Schedule

Note: Game numbering includes women’s tournament.

Quarterfinals (Wed., March 9)

Game 3: (8) Delaware State (2-26, 0-14) 66, (1) Norfolk State 74
Game 4: (7) Coppin State 59, (2) Howard (16-13, 9-5) 57

Quarterfinals (Thurs., March 10)

Game 7: (5) South Carolina State (15-16, 7-7) 77, (4) Morgan State 80
Game 8: (6) Maryland-Eastern Shore (11-15, 6-8) 56, (3) NC Central 68

Semifinals (Fri., March 11)

Game 11: (4) Morgan State (13-14, 7-6) 63, (1) Norfolk State 72
Game 12: (7) Coppin State 79, (3) NC Central (15-15, 8-5) 73

Championship (Sat., March 12)

Game 13: (7) Coppin State (9-23, 6-8) 57, (1) NORFOLK STATE (24-6, 12-2) 72

Mayhem Potential

Data originally posted by Bob Vetrone Jr. on Twitter in 2020 with my own additions for 2021 and 2022.

Over the past 10 seasons, the MEAC’s top two seeds have only managed to win a total of six championships, with the No. 1 last winning in 2017. No true two seed has won since 2012. Norfolk State won as the North Division’s 2 seed last year. The Spartans will aim to repeat as the No. 1 seed one year later.

• 1 seed (3): 2014, 2016, 2017
• 2 seed (3): 2011, 2012, 2021 (divisional)
• 6 seed (2): 2015, 2018
• 3 seed (1): 2019
• 7 seed (1): 2013

NCAA Seeding Record Since 2011

Years with an NCAA win are in bold.

• 14 seed (1): 2014
• 15 seed (1): 2012
• 16 seed (8): 2011, 2013 (First Four), 2015 (First Four), 2016, 2017 (First Four), 2018 (First Four), 2019 (First Four), 2021 (First Four)

NC Central is responsible for the MEAC’s highest seed in the past 10 years, but Norfolk State has the conference’s lone win away from Dayton in that span, the Spartans 15-over-12 upset of Missouri in 2012.

This year’s champ is likely going to be the MEAC’s eighth 16 seed since the field expanded in 2011 and if the winner isn’t Norfolk State, the fifth team in succession ticketed for the First Four.

Last NCAA Tournament Appearances

Norfolk State: 2021 (16 seed, First Round)
NC Central: 2019 (16 seed, First Four)
Morgan State: 2010 (15 seed, 1st Round)
Coppin State: 2008 (16 seed, Opening Round)
Delaware State: 2005 (16 seed, 1st Round)
South Carolina State: 2003 (16 seed, 1st Round)
Howard: 1992 (16 seed, 1st Round)

Maryland Eastern Shore is the only remaining MEAC member without an NCAA bid, now that Bethune-Cookman moved to the SWAC.