MEAC Basketball: Bethune-Cookman weighs potential exit from conference

Overall fallout and impact for MEAC Basketball

The potential scenarios play out like a timeline straight from the producers of the ‘Terminator’. A single decision, either way, will lead to some pretty breathtaking scenarios; One path keeps that beleaguered Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference solvent and equipped to fight another day to strengthen their conference and brand. The other path may trigger a proverbial armageddon for one of the most visible leagues in Black Collegiate athletics.

For fans of MEAC hoops, these days are uncertain, at best. If the MEAC ceases to be, it could compel several Mid-Major leagues that reside in the same Geographic footprint to take action. Some scenarios include the NEC, The Patriot League, The Colonial Athletic Association, and of course, our venerable friends over in the Big South Conference.

Even Division II leagues like the CIAA (The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) and the SIAC (the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) could be affected, though the potential addition of former MEAC members to the fold would make for some pretty compelling basketball for those conferences. Some of the current schools in the MEAC (i.e. North Carolina Central, Norfolk State) got their start in the CIAA, so returning to those roots and renewing rivalries with traditional CIAA foes would be a great benefit to both the league, and the programs joining under the right circumstances.

The real shame is that the product on the court is getting more appealing to fans with a quickness. Players like Delaware State’s John Crosby, Bethune’s Cletrell Pope, North Carolina Central’s Jibri Blount, and Howard U’s Wayne Bristol Jr. are part of a vanguard of players and coaches that were gradually changing the face of MEAC basketball. We may not see the conference see the fruits of that development, though.

A closed conference room somewhere in Daytona Beach holds the ultimate answer to this riddle. Either way, this is going to be an interesting trip to the end and fans of MEAC basketball are going to have a front-row seat for the fireworks.