What Is 2011 MEAC men's basketball tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament was held from March 9–12, 2011, at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Norfolk State defeated Bethune-Cookman 68–64 in the final to earn the conference's automatic bid to the 2011 NCAA Tournament.

Key Facts

Tournament dates: March 9–12, 2011
Champion: Norfolk State Spartans
Runner-up: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
Championship game score: 68–64
Host venue: RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina

Overview

The 2011 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the conference's annual postseason event to determine its representative in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. Held from March 9 to March 12, 2011, the tournament featured the top eight teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) regular season standings.

This single-elimination tournament took place at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, a neutral site chosen to host the event. The winner received the MEAC's automatic bid to the 2011 NCAA Tournament, making it a high-stakes competition for all participating schools.

Norfolk State emerged as champions after defeating Bethune-Cookman 68–64 in the final game, securing their first NCAA Tournament berth since joining Division I.
The tournament began with first-round matchups on March 9, featuring the 5th through 8th seeds competing for advancement to the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinal games were held on March 10, with the top four seeds joining the winners from the opening round in single-elimination play.
Semifinal games occurred on March 11, where Norfolk State defeated Morgan State and Bethune-Cookman beat North Carolina A&T to reach the final.
The championship game on March 12 drew a crowd of over 7,000 fans, showcasing the growing popularity of MEAC basketball on a national stage.

How It Works

The MEAC Tournament follows a structured format designed to reward regular-season performance while providing a path to the NCAA Tournament. Teams are seeded based on conference standings, with lower seeds facing early elimination rounds.

Seeding: The top eight teams in the MEAC standings qualify. Seeds 1–4 receive byes to the quarterfinals, while seeds 5–8 play in the first round.
Bracket Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination format, meaning one loss results in elimination, increasing the stakes of each game.
Host Site: Since 2010, the MEAC has hosted the tournament at the RBC Center in Raleigh to centralize attendance and media access.
Automatic Bid: The winner receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Tournament, regardless of their regular-season record or national ranking.
Player Eligibility: Only student-athletes who are MEAC-eligible and on the team roster during the season can participate in the tournament.
Championship Game: The final is played on Saturday, March 12, typically televised nationally to maximize exposure for MEAC programs.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2011 MEAC Tournament results with key metrics across rounds:

Round	Dates	Teams	Location	Winner
First Round	March 9	4 teams (5–8 seeds)	RBC Center	Hampton, Bethune-Cookman
Quarterfinals	March 10	8 teams	RBC Center	Norfolk State, Bethune-Cookman, etc.
Semifinals	March 11	4 teams	RBC Center	Norfolk State, Bethune-Cookman
Championship	March 12	2 teams	RBC Center	Norfolk State
NCAA Tournament	March 17+	68 teams	National	Norfolk State (First Round)

The table highlights how the 2011 MEAC Tournament condensed four rounds into five days, culminating in Norfolk State’s victory. The structure ensures competitive balance while rewarding higher seeds with byes, a format used consistently in MEAC tournaments during this era.

Why It Matters

The 2011 MEAC Tournament had significant implications for member institutions, athletes, and conference visibility. Winning the tournament not only brought prestige but also tangible benefits such as NCAA Tournament revenue sharing and national exposure.

Norfolk State’s championship marked a milestone for the program, elevating its national profile and boosting recruitment for future seasons.
The automatic NCAA bid allowed Norfolk State to compete against top-tier programs, including a first-round matchup with Gonzaga in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
MEAC schools benefit financially through the NCAA’s multi-year revenue distribution system, with each tournament game appearance generating income.
The tournament showcased historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), promoting diversity and athletic excellence in college sports.
Players like Devante Jones of Bethune-Cookman gained national attention, enhancing their professional prospects despite not winning the title.
Hosting in Raleigh improved attendance and media coverage, setting a precedent for future MEAC events to prioritize neutral, accessible venues.

The 2011 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament remains a landmark event in conference history, symbolizing competitive integrity and the transformative power of postseason success for mid-major programs.