2026 MEAC Conference Basketball Tournament Odds & Predictions

The MEAC Conference Tournament has the biggest perk for being a No. 1 seed. With Coppin State ineligible due to low APR scores, seven of the eight schools qualified for the conference tournament. With the odd number, only No. 1 Howard got a bye to the semifinals, though No. 2 Morgan State does get some advantage, in that their quarterfinal game is on Wednesday, so they aren’t required to play back-to-back days like the No. 3 through No. 6 seeds who advance.

Technically speaking, this is a neutral-site tournament, in that Norfolk State does not play at the Norfolk Scope, where this tournament has been held annually since 2013. This is a really poor conference that Bart Torvik ranks dead last in the nation. There are a lot of really bad offenses here, as the conference ranked 31st in TO% and 2P%, plus 29th in 3P%. Many of the schools play paycheck games against vastly superior non-conference opponents to fund athletic department endeavors, but even in conference play only, the MEAC was 31st in TO%, 29th in 2P%, and 24th in 3P%.

How to Watch the MEAC Conference Tournament

When: March 11-14

Where: Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, VA (repeat venue for years)

Format: No. 1 Howard gets a bye to the semifinals, No. 2 Morgan State plays No. 7 Delaware State in the only Wednesday quarterfinal to have a day off before the semis

Watch: ESPN+; Championship Game on TBD on Mar. 14 at 1 p.m. ET

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MEAC Conference Tournament Bracket

Coming soon.

MEAC Conference Tournament Seeds, Teams and Odds

1. Howard (-300)

2. Morgan State (+1000)

3. NC Central (+1500)

4. Norfolk State (+650)

5. South Carolina State (+5000)

6. Maryland Eastern Shore (+2000)

7. Delaware State (+10000)

Current Odds

(odds from DraftKings Sportsbook accurate at time of publish)

Favorite To Win MEAC Conference Tournament

Howard is the biggest conference tournament favorite that we’ve had thus far. The Bison only finished one game ahead of Morgan State for the top spot, but they are also the only team with a winning overall record this season in the conference. By Torvik’s rankings, Howard is a top-200 team. There are 365 teams and the other seven schools in the MEAC rank from 352 to 362. KenPom has Howard barely outside the top 200, with the others ranging from 321 (Norfolk State) to 363.

In conference play, Howard was first in adjusted offensive efficiency, first in adjusted defensive efficiency by a very wide margin, first in ORB%, TO% on defense, 2P% offense, and 2P% defense. They were second in 3P% offense and defense, trailing NC Central on offense and Morgan State on defense. Any way you slice it, they are the most complete team in the conference by far.

MEAC Conference Tournament Darkhorse

There is one team here that I went to immediately and that’s NC Central. The Eagles draw a really poor Maryland Eastern Shore team in the quarterfinals to likely set up a date with Morgan State, a team that they beat twice during the regular season. Of course, the tough thing here is that NC Central got pummeled twice by Howard, but this is the second-most promising team in the conference in my mind. They led the conference in 3P% and were second in TO% on both offense and defense.

Norfolk State has the second-lowest odds, but the Spartans, who lost to Howard by 26 and by 8, would have to play the Bison in the semis. NC Central wouldn’t until the championship game and I’d argue that they are the best team in the other half of the bracket. Khouri Carvey hasn’t played since Feb. 9 and I couldn’t find anything definitive about him. If he can somehow come back, that makes NC Central a way better team.

Betting Pick to Win The MEAC Conference Tournament

I won’t be laying the -300 on Howard, but based on their body of work and how the ranking sites have them situated, it would be surprising for anybody else to win the MEAC. Howard is actually a top-40 team nationally in eFG% defense, which is both a byproduct of their defensive performance and the bad shooting numbers of the MEAC. But, it’s hard to argue with a team that is almost 10 points per 100 possessions better than any other MEAC member in adjusted defensive efficiency.

Pick: Howard (-300)

Makinen Power Ratings for MEAC

Coming soon.

Coming soon.

Check out the other previews in our 2026 College Basketball Conference Tournament Betting Guide.

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