Northeast Conference Preview

NORTHEAST CONFERENCE (ranked 25th by kenpom)

March 3-9

Hosted by: Every game will take place at the higher seeded team’s gymnasium.

Sponsored by: Ruby Tuesday. I won’t go into how I had 2-3 horrible dates when I was 16 at Ruby Tuesday’s.

Tickets: As was the case with the Big South, the venues are constantly changing, so there is no tournament pass. They would need to be bought on a case by case basis.

The Bracket:

There are two things about the NEC tournament that makes it different. For one, they reseed after the first round; just like the NHL playoffs. Two, only the top 8 teams out of 12 make it. Way to promote brotherhood, unity, friendship, etc. It reminds me of the Bishop in “Caddyshack;” – “Oh, Fairleigh Dickinson, I’m sorry, I’m afraid you can’t come.” After my initial shock and outrage, I realized: “who cares?” Do I really need to see Monmouth play another game? To quote the judge in the same film: “the world needs ditch diggers too.”

Thursday March 3: #1 Long Island v. #8 St. Francis

#2 Quinnipiac v. #7 Mt. St. Marys

#3 Robert Morris v. #6 Wagner

#4 Central Connecticut State v. #5 St. Francis

As I mentioned, the teams will then be reseeded so the best team plays the worst, and the other two play. The Semis are on Sunday, March 6, and the finals are on Wednesday March 9.

The Favorite: Long Island has won 10 in a row, and 18 of 19. Their only loss at home was to favored Iona. But, as the NEC tournament website says: “This year's playoffs could hold some surprises as the four lower seeded teams each posted victories over their higher seeded quarterfinal opponents during the regular season.” Very true. Long Island’s last loss was to St. Francis. Robert Morris played the toughest non-conference schedule, and has the experience. Despite all this, I’ll take the Islanders (they’re actually the Blackbirds) and their home court.

Trivia: Fairleigh Dickinson, Monmouth, Sacred Heart, and Bryant were the teams not invited to the NEC tournament.