What Is 1998 MEAC men's basketball tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1998 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament was held from March 5–7, 1998, at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, where Howard University won its first title by defeating Savannah State 75–65 in the final.

Key Facts

The 1998 MEAC Tournament took place from March 5–7, 1998.
Games were held at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, VA.
Howard University won the championship with a 75–65 victory over Savannah State.
Howard earned the MEAC's automatic bid to the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
It was Howard's first MEAC tournament title in school history.

Overview

The 1998 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during the 1997–1998 NCAA Division I season. It featured the top eight teams from the conference based on regular-season standings, competing in a single-elimination format.

The tournament concluded with Howard University claiming its first-ever MEAC title, a milestone in the school's athletic history. This victory secured Howard the conference's automatic bid to the 1998 NCAA Tournament, marking a significant achievement for the program.

Howard University won the tournament championship on March 7, 1998, defeating Savannah State 75–65 in the final game held at Norfolk Scope Arena.
The tournament spanned three days, from March 5 to March 7, 1998, following a single-elimination structure involving the top eight conference teams.
Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, served as the host venue, a location frequently used for MEAC tournaments during the late 1990s.
This was the first MEAC tournament title for Howard, making it a historic moment for the program and its head coach, Sylvester Croom Jr.
As champions, Howard received the MEAC's automatic bid to the 1998 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, where they were seeded 16th in the West Region.

How It Works

The MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament determines the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament through a structured postseason format.

Single-Elimination Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination structure, meaning one loss eliminates a team. Eight teams qualify based on regular-season conference records.
Seeding: Teams are seeded 1 through 8 based on their final regular-season standings, with higher seeds receiving favorable matchups and potential home-court advantage.
Qualification: Only the top eight teams in the MEAC standings qualify, ensuring competitive balance and rewarding consistent performance during the regular season.
Automatic Bid: The winner receives the MEAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, regardless of their overall record or national ranking.
Host Site: The MEAC has used neutral sites like Norfolk Scope Arena since the 1990s, centralizing the event to promote fan attendance and logistical fairness.
Historical Context: The MEAC tournament began in 1972, and by 1998, it had become a critical pathway for HBCU teams to reach the national stage.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1998 MEAC Tournament compares to other editions in terms of key metrics:

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	Location	Score
1998	Howard	Savannah State	Norfolk, VA	75–65
1997	South Carolina State	Hampton	Norfolk, VA	75–74
1996	Delaware State	Howard	Wilmington, DE	75–65
1995	South Carolina State	Hampton	Norfolk, VA	64–57
1994	Howard	Delaware State	Wilmington, DE	74–63

The 1998 tournament stood out because Howard broke a long title drought, having last won in 1994. Unlike previous years, Howard entered as a lower seed but dominated the bracket. The consistent use of Norfolk Scope Arena highlighted the MEAC's strategy to centralize its championship event, boosting attendance and media coverage. This edition also marked increased national attention on HBCU basketball programs, especially as NCAA Tournament access became more competitive.

Why It Matters

The 1998 MEAC Tournament had lasting implications for Howard University and the broader landscape of HBCU athletics.

Historic Achievement: Howard's 1998 title was the first in over a decade, revitalizing the program and boosting school pride across campus.
NCAA Tournament Appearance: Howard represented the MEAC in the 1998 NCAA Tournament, facing #1 seed Arizona in the first round, gaining national exposure.
Player Development: The tournament showcased emerging talent, helping players gain recognition for professional or graduate opportunities.
Conference Prestige: A competitive tournament enhanced the MEAC's reputation among Division I conferences, especially within HBCU circles.
Recruitment Boost: Success in 1998 helped Howard attract higher-caliber recruits in subsequent seasons, improving long-term competitiveness.
Legacy Impact: The win laid the foundation for future success, inspiring later generations of Bison athletes and coaches.

The 1998 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament remains a landmark event in Howard University's sports history and a symbol of the opportunities HBCUs can achieve on the national stage.