College Basketball Conference Preview #1 - MEAC Conference

The MEAC Conference only has eight members going forward but will still be highly competitive as always as we hopefully enter a more normal season in 2021-22. Look for Norfolk State to set the pace and win the Conference again and make a return trip back to the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans will be pressed hard by Morgan State who they beat in the Championship Game of the Conference Tournament this past March. Morgan State welcomes back four starters including senior guard De'Torron Ware who is a candidate for MEAC Player of the Year, and gets former North Carolina recruit Seventh Woods to aid their backcourt play as well. Norfolk State only returns two starters and will need several experienced returnees to step up most notably senior guard Jalen Hawkins. Coppin State will be right on the heels of both the Spartans and the Bears as the Eagles return a handful of experienced players and have added a few transfers as well. Head Coach Juan Dixon is no stranger to winning and the Eagles will be a tough out all season long. Howard had a very unusual 2020-21 campaign in which they only played five games. The Bison lose prized recruit Makur Maker but welcome back every other returning starter including sophomore forward Steve Settle III. Howard also brings in several newcomers including Dontarius James (Jacksonville transfer) who could have a huge impact. I predict Howard to finish 4th in the MEAC this season.

UMES did not play at all during the 2020-21 season so it will be hard to predict how the Hawks will do this coming season. Head Coach Jason Crafton does have one returning starter back from the 2019-20 team in junior guard Da'Shawn Phillip. UMES also welcomes in several junior college transfers to help the cause. It may take a year for the Hawks to challenge for the MEAC Title after opting out of last season and I predict them to finish no better than 5th in the final standings. North Carolina Central is in for a rebuilding year this season as the Eagles only return one starter from last season's team in senior guard Nicholas Fennell. Having won the MEAC Tournament in both 2018 and 2019 it may take North Carolina Central Head Coach Levelle Moton a year to regroup before the Eagles can contend again. I predict a 6th place finish but it could be lower than that depending on injuries and how the season progresses. Delaware State welcomes new Head Coach Stan Waterman who takes over a program coming off a 3-16 finish last season. The Hornets do bring back a pair of standout guards in senior Myles Carter and junior John Stansbury. If the frontcourt can provide reliable production then the Hornets should be able to finish in the top half of the Conference Standings. I predict them to finish 7th but they could surprise some teams if everyone stays healthy and they get a few lucky breaks. South Carolina State also welcomes a new Head Coach in former Memphis assistant Tony Madlock. He inherits a roster that has a potential 1st Team All Conference Player in junior guard Rahsaan Edwards and two other returning starters. Coming off a dismal 1-17 finish last season I predict the Bulldogs to finish in 8th place in the Conference Standings. However if Madlock can get his returnees to buy in and his transfers to mesh seamlessly then South Carolina State could finish in the middle of the pack. Regardless of which team wins the Conference Tournament it will be a great season in the MEAC. Enjoy all of the games!

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