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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COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 12: Andre Jackson #0 of the North Carolina A&T Aggies (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /

Who’s the best option?

Did the MEAC take a major hit when North Carolina A&T left for the apparently ‘greener’ pastures of the Big South Conference? Absolutely. There’s no denying that the departure of a founding cornerstone of the most visible HBCU conference at the Division I level is going to sting a little bit and leave some pretty big shoes to fill. However, the conference has the opportunity to add some pretty storied and solid basketball programs to their collective pot when the time and opportunity presents itself again for expansion.

There may be other programs out there that the MEAC may examine, but it wouldn’t surprise this writer if the conference went back to the tree that’s borne it ripe fruit in the past. the CIAA is a storied conference, with storied programs that are at the heart of HBCU basketball.

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The three programs examined here would all make the MEAC richer with their membership, if and/or when the opportunity presents itself. It would be a good idea for the MEAC to listen if any of them come knocking at the door.