2026 MEAC Tournament Preview & Conference Awards

CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 15. Up next: The MEAC Tournament.

The MEAC Tournament rarely follows the script, but this year’s bracket might hinge on rest, revenge, and one dominant No.1 seed. As a smaller mid-major conference with only eight teams, the structure and stakes of the tournament create several unusual scenarios that can dramatically impact the outcome. This year’s regular season champions are different from the last two seasons, as Norfolk State was dethroned by Howard, the 2024 MEAC Tournament Champion. With momentum and experience on its side, Howard enters the tournament as the team to beat.

Howard has been the most balanced team in the MEAC, posting an offensive rating of roughly 108 points per 100 possessions while holding opponents under 100. One of the best efficiency margins in the conference. Another one of Howard’s advantages is on the glass, where the Bison collect offensive rebounds on over one-third of their missed shots. This adds valuable second-chance opportunities, often leading to points.

The tournament format itself is distinctive this year. The No. 1 seed, Howard, receives the conference’s only bye, along with two additional days of rest. For the No. 2 seed, the lone advantage is a day of rest between its first and second games, as well as drawing the lowest seed in the bracket. This is likely due to the complication of Coppin State’s postseason ineligibility. The Eagles would otherwise occupy the No. 7 seed, but their absence bumps Delaware State into that position despite Coppin State finishing with a better conference record.

The MEAC All-Conference awards can be found here.

2026 MEAC Conference Awards

Player of the Year: Bryce Harris, Howard

Freshman of the Year: Noah Treadwell, South Carolina State

Transfer of the Year: Alfred Worrell Jr., Morgan State

Coach of the Year: Kenny Blakeney, Howard

First Team:

• G: Bryce Harris, Howard (17.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.0 BPG)
• G: Anthony McComb III, Norfolk State (17.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.1 SPG)
• G: Alfred Worrell Jr., Morgan State (17.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.9 SPG)
• F: Khouri Carvey, North Carolina Central (13.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 BPG)
• F: Miles Webb, Delaware State (9.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG)

Second Team:

• G: Cedric Taylor, Howard (17.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.4 SPG)
• G: Gage Lattimore, North Carolina Central (17.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.3 SPG)
• G: Elijah Jamison, Norfolk State (14.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.6 SPG)
• F: Kelechi Okworogwo, North Carolina Central (7.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.4 BPG)
• F: Devon Ellis, Norfolk State (11.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG)

2025 MEAC Tournament Simulation

First Round – Wednesday, Mar. 11

2. Morgan State (14-15, 10-4) vs. 7. Delaware State (7-22, 2-12) – 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+

Morgan State secured the No. 2 seed by closing the regular season with wins over Norfolk State and Coppin State after a loss to regular-season champion Howard. The Bears also swept Delaware State during the regular season, narrowly winning on the road but dominating the Hornets at home.

On Paper, this should be a comfortable matchup for Morgan State. The Bears hold clear advantages in perimeter shooting and free-throw efficiency, two areas that can often decide tournament games. If Morgan State limits turnovers and avoids putting Delaware State on the free-throw line, it should advance in the MEAC Tournament without much trouble. However, this is March, and anything can happen. Delaware has the ability to create more second-chance opportunities that could lead to an upset.

Jason’s pick: 7. Delaware State

Second Round – Thursday, Mar. 12

4. Norfolk State (15-16, 8-6) vs. 5. South Carolina State (9-21, 7-7) – 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+

Norfolk State swept the regular-season series, though the matchups were not without adversity. After falling behind early in their first meeting, the Spartans ultimately controlled roughly 50 of the 80 total minutes played across the two games. Expect Norfolk State to enter the tournament with added motivation. The Spartans dropped their final two regular-season games to Howard and Morgan State, and a strong showing here would help restore momentum.

Jason’s pick: 4. Norfolk State

3. North Carolina Central (12-17, 8-6) vs. 6. Maryland Eastern Shore (9-22,5-9) – 8 p.m. CT on ESPN+

This is the first coin flip of the MEAC Tournament. North Carolina Central swept the regular-season matchups, but both games were tightly contested. Across the two meetings, there were six lead changes, and Maryland Eastern Shore remained within striking distance throughout. Turnovers and free throws are the biggest concerns for the Hawks. Maryland Eastern Shore struggled to protect the ball and frequently sent opponents to the line. Maryland Eastern Shore turns the ball over on nearly 20 percent of possessions, one of the highest marks in the conference. Two issues that become even more costly in the MEAC Tournament setting.

This game will be interesting when it comes to tempo. North Carolina Central prefers a faster tempo than most of the conference, averaging more than 72 possessions per game, while Maryland Eastern Shore slows the game significantly at under 66 possessions.

Jason’s pick: 3. North Carolina Central

Semifinals – Friday, Mar. 13

1. Howard (21-10, 11-3) vs. 4. Norfolk State  – 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+

Howard’s conference schedule began with a surprising stumble, dropping road games to South Carolina State and Maryland Eastern Shore. The Bison quickly recovered, however, winning three straight before a heartbreaking 78-77 loss to Morgan State on an offensive rebound putback. From that point forward, Howard played its best basketball of the season. The Bison closed MEAC play with dominant performances and would have entered the tournament on a nine-game conference winning streak if not for a nonconference loss to Yale. Howard also swept Norfolk State during the regular season. With the extra rest that comes with the No. 1 seed, the Bison should enter this game with fresher legs and a clear advantage in the MEAC Tournament.

Jason’s pick: 1. Howard

3. North Carolina Central vs. 7. Delaware State – 8 p.m. CT on ESPN+

This semifinal MEAC Tournament matchup features an unusual twist: the No.3 seed swept the No. 2 seed during the regular season. Delaware State enters with a scheduling advantage, but North Carolina Central has controlled much of the action in their previous meetings. The Eagles nearly let their first matchup slip away at home after losing focus late in the first half, but they still managed to build a lead in the second half. On paper, this is the MEAC Tournament’s least compelling matchup. Both teams are capable, and the familiarity between them could create a competitive, high-pressure game.

Jason’s pick: 3. North Carolina Central

Championship– Saturday, Mar. 14

1. Howard vs. 3. North Carolina Central – 1 p.m. CT on ESPN2

Howard has dominated this matchup throughout the season. In the first meeting, the teams were tied after the opening quarter, but the Bison controlled the rest of the game and never trailed again. The second meeting followed a similar script. North Carolina Central would need a dramatic shift in momentum to reverse that trend. Howard’s balance is its biggest strength. The team has multiple players who can score, creating matchup problems across the floor. This game is a MEAC Tournament classic. Defensive pressure is also a hallmark of this conference. North Carolina Central leads the conference in steal rate, forcing turnovers on more than 13 percent of opponent possessions. Howard is close behind at just over 12 percent of possessions.

Efficiency has also been a key factor. In both regular-season matchups against the Eagles, Howard shot over 50 percent from the field, consistently finding the best available shot. If that offensive rhythm continues, the Bison will be difficult to stop. Howard leads the conference in effective field goal percentage, meaning the Bison convert high-value shots at a higher rate than most of the MEAC.

Jason’s pick: 1. Howard