2024 MEAC Tournament Preview & Conference Awards

CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday. Up next: The MEAC Tournament.

Just like the previous four tournaments, excluding the 2020 season, Norfolk State looks to be the odds-on favorite. The Spartans haven’t lost a conference tournament game since the 2019 finals. The MEAC Tournament returns for the 12th consecutive season at the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, V.A. 

Howard, the defending MEAC Tournament champion, is also looking for their first back-to-back tournament titles since 1980-81. North Carolina Central, who has won the tournament four times since joining the MEAC, are looking for their first title since 2019.

2024 MEAC Awards

Player of the Year: Bryce Harris, Howard

Freshman of the Year: Deywilk Tavarez, Delaware State

Transfer of the Year: Jamarii Thomas, Norfolk State

Coach of the Year: Robert Jones, Norfolk State

First Team

• G: Fred Cleveland, NC Central (15.1 PPG, 5.4 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.7 SPG)
• G: Jamarii Thomas, Norfolk State (17.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.0 SPG, 39.2 3P%, 81.3 FT%)
• G: Bryce Harris, Howard (16.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.9 BPG, 56.3 FG%, 41.5 3P%)
• F: Martaz Robinson, Delaware State (16.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.2 SPG, 84.7 FT%)
• F: Seth Towns, Howard (14.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 84.2 FT%)

Second Team

• G: Ja’Darius Harris, NC Central (14.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 83.9 FT%)
• G: Wynston Tabbs, Morgan State (15.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 88.3 FT%)
• G: Deywilk Tavarez, Delaware State (13.1 PPG, 3.6 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 37.2 3P%)
• G: Po’Boigh King, NC Central (14.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.1 SPG)
• G: Jevin Muniz, Delaware State (15.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.4 SPG)

MEAC Tournament Simulation

Quarterfinals – Wed., Mar. 13

1. Norfolk State (20-10, 10-3) vs. 8. Coppin State (2-26, 1-13) – 6 p.m. on ESPN+

Coppin State is coming into this game on a 12-game losing streak, with eight of those losses being by 10 points or less. Norfolk State, led by Jamarii Thomas, swept the Eagles in the season series. The Spartans will win this game, but the bench for Coppin State will make the game closer than expected.

Kyle’s pick: 1. Norfolk State

2. NC Central (17-12, 9-5) vs. 7. Maryland-Eastern Shore (9-19, 4-10) – 8:30 p.m. on ESPN+

NC Central goes into the postseason with the top-scoring offense in the league, averaging 76.9 points per game. Maryland-Eastern Shore, who was swept by the Eagles this season, has held teams to 43.7% from the field. Three of the top ten scorers in the conference play for NC Central, scoring a combined 78 points in the two matchups against the Hawks. UMES will need to have Troy Hupstead to dominate the glass, where he leads the conference with 8.4 rebounds per game. 

Kyle’s pick: 2. North Carolina Central

Quarterfinals – Thur. , Mar. 14

4. Howard (15-16, 9-5) vs 5. Morgan State (11-19, 7-7) – 6 p.m. on ESPN+

This matchup will pit two of the top scorers in the conference against each other. Bryce Harris will lead Howard, while Tabbs Wynston leads Morgan State. The teams split the season series, with the Bison getting the edge in their last meeting on Feb. 24th. The key to this game will be beyond the arc, While the Bears rank 6th with shooting 29.6%, they were able to outshoot Howard in the first game this season. In another close matchup, Howard will edge out Morgan State.

Kyle’s pick: 4. Howard

3. South Carolina State (14-17, 9-5) vs 6. Delaware State (13-17, 6-8) – 8:30 p.m. on ESPN+

The Bulldogs swept the season series against Delaware State, but the Hornets kept the matchups close. Martaz Robinson and Jevin Muniz will need to keep their hot shooting touch if Delaware State wants to win the matchup. The Bulldogs will need to continue with their dominance on the boards, especially on the offensive side. In both matchups, The Bulldogs were able to get 27 second chance points in their two meetings. This will be the closest matchup in the quarterfinals, with the Hornets finally getting the victory.

Kyle’s pick: 6. Delaware State

Semifinals – Fri., Mar. 15

1. Norfolk State vs 4. Howard – 6 p.m. on ESPN+

Norfolk State ended Howard’s four-game winning streak with a 77-58 victory to end the regular season. The Spartans dominated both games due to getting massive production off the bench, getting over 40 points in each matchup from the reserves. If the Bison want to keep it close, they will need to convert free throw opportunities. Norfolk State struggled from the free throw line in both meetings. Another close matchup, like their first meeting, but Norfolk State prevails.

Kyle’s pick: 1. Norfolk State

2. NC Central vs 6. Delaware State – 8:30 p.m. on ESPN+

The Eagles swept the season series, but Delaware State made them earn each victory. The Hornets were able to get 22 points off turnovers in each matchup. Po’Boigh King, however, had Delaware State’s number by leading the team in scoring. Emmanuel Izunabor turned the tide with averaging 10 boards per meeting. NC Central will end the Cinderella run for the Hornets due to their ability to get fast break points.

Kyle’s pick: 2. North Carolina Central

Championship – Sat., Mar. 16

1. Norfolk State vs 2. NC Central – 1 p.m. on ESPN2

This is the rematch that has been brewing for the last month or so. In the first meeting, Ja’Darius Harris stole the show with 20 points. It was his rebound after a Jack Doumbia free throw that gave the Eagles a trip to the line with 13 seconds, giving Central a two-point victory. The Spartans were held to 6.3% from the three-point line on 16 attempts. When the teams met again in Norfolk, Jamarii Thomas converted 16 of his 19 free throws to give the Spartans a six-point victory. In both meetings, Thomas went 28-of-31 from the line. This will be the seventh meeting in the MEAC Tournament, with both teams having three wins a piece. The key will be the play off the bench. Norfolk State will get more production from their reserves and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

Kyle’s pick: 1. Norfolk State