What Is 2014 MEAC men's basketball tournament

Overview

The 2014 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship event for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during the 2013–14 NCAA Division I season. It featured a single-elimination format with eight qualifying teams based on regular-season conference standings.

Hosted at the Norfolk Scope Arena, the tournament concluded with Norfolk State claiming its second MEAC title by defeating top-seeded North Carolina Central. The winner earned the conference's automatic berth into the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

• Norfolk State entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed after finishing the regular season with a 12–4 conference record.
• The championship game was played on March 15, 2014, drawing a near-capacity crowd at the 8,500-seat Norfolk Scope Arena.
• North Carolina Central, the regular-season champion, earned the top seed with a 15–1 conference record.
• Each game in the tournament was played consecutively over six days, beginning with first-round matchups on March 10.
• The MEAC has awarded its NCAA Tournament bid to the tournament winner since 1980, a tradition upheld in 2014.

How It Works

The MEAC tournament follows a structured single-elimination format designed to determine the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament.

• Seeding: Teams are seeded 1–8 based on their regular-season conference records. Tiebreakers include head-to-head results and point differentials.
• First Round: The No. 5 through No. 8 seeds compete in play-in games to advance to the quarterfinals, held on March 10, 2014.
• Quarterfinals: Four games on March 11 featured matchups between the top four seeds and play-in winners, all held at the neutral site.
• Semifinals: The No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3 seeds advanced to semifinals on March 14, both games aired on ESPN3.
• Championship Game: Held on March 15, the final determined the MEAC's automatic qualifier for the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
• Neutral Site: Since 2012, the MEAC has hosted the tournament at the Norfolk Scope Arena, providing a centralized, fan-friendly venue.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2014 MEAC tournament compared to prior editions in terms of structure, participants, and outcomes:

The 2014 tournament marked the third consecutive year the event was held at the Norfolk Scope Arena, solidifying its role as the conference’s preferred venue. Norfolk State’s victory was particularly notable as they avenged a 2013 final loss to Bethune-Cookman and overcame the top-seeded Eagles in a tightly contested game. The tournament continues to serve as a critical platform for MEAC schools to gain national exposure and NCAA Tournament access.

Why It Matters

The 2014 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament had significant implications for player development, institutional visibility, and postseason opportunities.

• Norfolk State earned its second NCAA Tournament berth, having previously qualified in 2012 with a 15-seed upset over Missouri.
• The tournament provided national television exposure through ESPN3 and MEAC Sports Network broadcasts.
• Participation helped member schools boost recruiting visibility and alumni engagement across the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Student-athletes gained valuable experience in high-pressure, single-elimination environments, preparing them for professional aspirations.
• Hosting the event in Norfolk, Virginia, stimulated local tourism and generated economic benefits for the city.
• The MEAC’s automatic bid system ensures competitive balance, giving smaller programs a realistic path to the NCAA Tournament.

Ultimately, the 2014 MEAC tournament underscored the importance of postseason success for historically Black colleges and universities, highlighting athletic excellence and conference unity on a national stage.