MEAC Basketball: 3 candidates to replace departing North Carolina A&T

MEAC Basketball: 3 candidates to replace the departing North Carolina A&T

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 09: The North Carolina A&T Aggies logo on a pair of shorts during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Capitol One Arena on December 9, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Hoyas won 72-63. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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DURHAM, NC – NOVEMBER 01: Justin Glover #11, WyKevin Bazemore #22 and Stephon Platt #20 of the Winston-Salem State Rams (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Winston-Salem State University – Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Clarence “Big House” Gaines and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe…Those are the two names that are synonymous with both Winston-Salem Basketball and the history of the college game in general. Big House Gaines won 828 games and is a Naismith Hall of Famer; Earl Monroe was one of the most prolific scorers the college game has seen at any level. He’s a Hall of Famer, too. From a legacy and culture perspective, WSSU basketball would join the MEAC and wouldn’t miss a beat.

Winston Salem is smack dab in the heart of the MEAC’s geographical footprint. The Rams would automatically resume rivalries with old CIAA foes Norfolk State and North Carolina Central as well, giving the conference an even more defined competitive in-conference profile. A jump in conference weight class would definitely come way too late for the likes of Rob Colon and Jaylen Alston, but it would energize the already stacked college basketball scene in the state.

The Rams’ fanbase is second to none in CIAA circles, and would definitely carry over with a jump to Division I. Much like the Washington DC/Baltimore Corridor, North Carolina is a state that’s traditionally been bursting at the seams with talent. WSSU making the leap to DI would definitely raise the eyebrows of potential recruits that might not ordinarily look at MEAC basketball. The C.E. Gaines Center is another smallish venue even by MEAC standards, but the fanbase would immediately become one of the most passionate in the MEAC. Overall, Rams Nation would be a great basketball addition to the conference.