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NEC Basketball: 2021 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

By Benjamin Zacher

Dec 8, 2020; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Wagner Seahawks guard Alex Morales (2) dribbles up court against the Seton Hall Pirates during the first half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2020; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Wagner Seahawks guard Alex Morales (2) dribbles up court against the Seton Hall Pirates during the first half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Northeast Basketball Sacred Heart Pioneers Aaron Clarke Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Northeast Basketball Sacred Heart Pioneers Aaron Clarke Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Bracketology of Northeast Basketball

To put it bluntly: almost assuredly, barring any bubble bursters from low mid-major conferences, the champion of the NEC Tournament will earn a 16-seed in the NCAA Tournament – and, more than likely, will be placed in the play-in game.

The NEC has seen its tournament champion slotted into the play-in game in the last seven NCAA Tournaments, dating back to 2013.  The last time an NEC team was not sent to Dayton was in 2012 when LIU made the tournament as one of the best 16-seeds.  Meanwhile, just a year prior in 2011 was the last time the NEC saw one of its teams earn a seed better than 16, with LIU receiving a 15-seed and matching up against North Carolina.

To state the obvious, no team in the Northeast Conference is earning an at-large bid.  The highest-ranking team in the NET is Bryant at 130th, largely thanks to the Quad 1 loss to Syracuse and the Quad 2 win over UMass, with Wagner checking in at 155th.  Mount St. Mary’s is at 176th, while Sacred Heart ranks second from last among NEC schools at 248th.

Almost certainly, the NEC’s champion will be pitted against the winner of a conference such as the MEAC or the SWAC – and, should they get past there, will have a date with the likes of Gonzaga or Baylor.  It is not out of line to expect an NEC team to give top-tier talent fits, however – the Mount trailed top-seeded Villanova by one in the opening round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament, while Robert Morris took the Wildcats to overtime in 2010.