2010 MEAC Conference Tournament Predictions

The MEAC Basketball Championship will be held from March 9-13. Will Morgan State manage to make its way to the NCAA Tournament by winning this championship? Let's examine the matchups of each team and work our way to see which team will advance past this tournament and into the real show. The times are also shown with each game. All the statistics used below are provided by Yahoo Sports.

March 9, First Round

#7 Bethune-Cookman vs. #10 Florida A&M
Time 6:30 p.m.

This game will be a repeat of the regular season's result as Florida A&M can't score. Bethune-Cookman has decent scoring in guard C.J. Reed and it is plenty with the nonexistence attack of Florida A&M.

Result: Bethune-Cookman over Florida A&M

#8 Howard vs. #9 North Carolina A&T
Time 9:00 p.m.

These teams will be fighting it out in a low scoring game which has become the standard this year in the MEAC. So this time the saying defense always wins will be true as North Carolina A&T's Thomas Coleman will win it for his team. The man is the leading shot blocker in the conference with 64 on the season. North Carolina A&T gets the better of the team they lost to twice during the regular season.

Result: North Carolina A&T over Howard

March 10, First Round

#6 Maryland E. Shore vs. #11 Coppin State

Time 3:00 p.m.

Twice Maryland E. Shore has taken car of business this season against Coppin State. The team is coming in building on their progress and there is no chance a weak Coppin State will end their run before they reach the quarterfinals. The UMES play tough defense all game just as they have this season and shut down Coppin State.

Result: Maryland E. Shore over Coppin State

March 10, Quarterfinals

#1 Morgan State vs. #9 North Carolina A&T
Time 7:00 p.m.

North Carolina A&T look like they are made to be a spoiler as they frustrated teams at the top of the seeding all year. They beat #2 Delaware State once and #3 South Carolina State in both meetings. Unfortunately they meet up with Morgan State who stomped on them both times. Once again senior guard Reggie Holmes dominates the scoring just as he has all season. Holmes has dropped 25 points 13 times this year and is one of the reasons Morgan State has no problem on offense.

Result: Morgan State over North Carolina A&T

#2 Delaware State vs. #7 Bethune-Cookman
Time 9:30 p.m.

Three challenges face Bethune-Cookman in this game. The first is forgetting about the embarrassing losses to Delaware State this year. Second, shaking off fatigue and a poor stretch run to give Delaware State a proper fight. Finally, dealing with the methodical offense and tenacious defense that Delware State posses. Yeah, I agree that is far too much for Bethune to do which is the reason Delaware State wins this game by double digits.

Result: Delaware State over Bethune-Cookman

March 11, Quarterfinals

#3 South Carolina State. #6 Maryland E. Shore

Time 6:00 p.m.

South Carolina State owned Maryland E. Shore in the one regular season game this year. The UMES though play tough defense particularly on shots from beyond the arc. It will be a real test as South Carolina State can shoot the three led by guard Darnell Porter. The Bulldogs will take the victory when they hit their free throws down the final stretch of the game.

Result: South Carolina State over Maryland E. Shore

#4 Norfolk State vs. #5 Hampton

Time 8:00 p.m.

Norfolk State won both games in the regular season, but the final game was a lot closer with the result ending 70-66. Hampton is riding a five game winning streak and is coming in very hot. Guard Michael Delroach silences the Hampton's fans when he drops 25 points just as he has in many games this year.

Result: Norfolk State over Hampton

March 12, Semifinals

#1 Morgan State vs. #4 Norfolk State

Time 6:00 p.m.

The two teams have had high scoring matchups in each of their games this season. They have also been two highly contested games and each has ended with Morgan State celebrating victory. Michael Deploach versus Reggie Holmes, of Morgan State, will be the best guard matchup of the tournament. In the end though the frontcourt presence of Morgan State's Kevin Holmes the Golden Bears will win this game.

Result: Morgan State over Norfolk State

#2 Delaware State vs. #3 South Carolina State

Time 8:00 p.m.

The two teams each have tremendous strengths. Delaware State's stalwart defense will provide then with an early lead. South Carolina State can hit free throws down the stretch though which can come to be really important late in games. Too bad they aren't going to stay with Delaware State to make their free throw shooting count.

Result: Delaware State over South Carolina State

March 13, Final

#1 Morgan State vs. #2 Delaware State

Time 2:00 PM

This is how it is supposed to be with the top two teams fighting it out for that automatic bid into the NCAA Championship. Morgan State won the regular season matchups, but they were close games. Everyone hopes to see a great game and they do. Yet, certain points in the game will be boring for fans as Delaware State frustrates fans and Morgan State with their defense and methodical offensive attack. Morgan State's one weakness comes out in it's poor perimeter defense. Delaware State's, top scorer, guard Marcus Neal and a solid three point shooter rips Morgan State apart just enough to allow the the defense to win the game.

Result: Delaware State over Morgan State

Champion : Delaware State

All the statistics used above are provided by Yahoo Sports.