MEAC Basketball: 2022 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

Norfolk State is viewed as the favorite to win this year’s MEAC Basketball Tournament. Is there any team that can threaten them?

With just eight teams competing for a coveted spot in the NCAA tournament, at-large bids in Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference are almost impossible to come by. That places a huge pressure on teams to perform in the conference tournament, and 2022’s competition is no exception.

While the regular season has been largely a one-horse race with Norfolk State dominating in conference play, tournament time is a whole new ballgame. Regular season slates are wiped clean, and any team can have a chance to dance in 2022.

Favorite: Norfolk State Spartans

Let’s be clear, in theory, the 2022 MEAC tournament SHOULD be a one-horse race. Norfolk State hit its stride at the start of conference play winning its first six games. With only two blemishes on their conference record, the Spartans are riding a three-game win streak into postseason play. That dominance in conference starts with preventing second-chance points.

The Spartans are eighth in the nation with 28.8 defensive rebounds per game. Norfolk State also boasts an undefeated record at home this season, giving the Spartans a huge advantage with the tournament being played on their home floor.

Sleeper: Morgan State Bears

However, this is March and anything can happen and the squad with the best chance to steal Norfolk State’s bid might just be Morgan State. The Bears (12-13) are the four seed in the tournament and while a sub .500 record is nothing to write home about, in March it’s all about getting hot at the right time and that’s exactly what the Bears have done. They are riding a four-game winning streak into the tournament which includes a win over Norfolk State back on Feb. 21.

Morgan State boasts a decent offense ranked 69th in the country in points and 65th in assists per game. De’Torrion Ware will be a key individual contributor for the Bears. He’s played in all 25 games this season averaging 10.9 points, and five rebounds per game. Morgan State kicks off its tournament run against fifth-seeded South Carolina State who it beat twice in the regular season.

Players to watch

Joe Bryant Jr., Norfolk State

The Player of the Year in the MEAC has put on a clinic all season. He leads the league in points per game with 16.8 carrying the load for Norfolk State all season. Bryant’s most impressive metric however is free throw shooting. The senior shoots a 91.8% clip from the line which ranks 5th in the nation.

His ability to make shots from the foul line will be crucial for the Spartans to close out games. Bryant is the leader for this Spartans side and will look to conclude a successful final season by helping his squad earn an NCAA tournament berth.

Elijah Hawkins, Howard

Hawkins earned freshman of the year honors in the MEAC after a stellar first season with the Bison. Hawkins led the conference with 5.6 assists per game. An impressive metric for the 5’11 guard, and a metric that ranks 17th in the nation. Hawkins can find teammates with ease and does a fair bit of scoring himself. He averages 13 points per game and hits 79.8% of his free throws. No matter the outcome for Howard in this year’s tournament, it has a bright future ahead with Hawkins, who also earned All-MEAC second-team honors this season.

Chris Sodom, Delaware State

Delaware State has had very little to cheer for all season. The Hornets have lost their last 23 games after starting the year 2-2 and have failed to win a game in conference. Sodom, however, has been an immense bight spot. The 7’3 big man has locked down the interior single-handedly for the Hornets this season, so much so that despite the losses as a team, Sodom still earned MEAC defensive player of the year honors.

Sodom averages 2.1 blocks per game which leads the MEAC and ranks 43rd in the country. If Delaware State wants to go on a miracle run, it will depend on Sodom swatting shots all tournament long.

The NCAA tournament will only see one representative from the MEAC this season. Regular season champions Norfolk State do not receive an automatic bid like some of the bigger conferences. The latest projection from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi sees Norfolk State representing the MEAC as a 16 seed against last year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Champion Baylor Bears.

Barring a large collapse on their home floor the Spartans should make Lunardi’s projection a reality. They have led from start to finish and should continue to dominate in postseason play. However, in March no team is ever truly counted out. A cinderella team like Morgan State have the talent to dethrone the Spartans