The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference kicks off basketball season tonight as 17 men’s contests are scheduled through Sunday. 12 contests are scheduled for Friday evening, four on Sunday and one on Saturday.
THIS WEEKEND’S TV SCHEDULE
Nov. 11 Florida A&M at South Florida ESPN3 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 11 Norfolk State at Mississippi State SEC Network 8:00 p.m.
Nov. 11 Morgan State at Houston ESPN3 8:00 p.m.
Nov. 11 Howard at Michigan BTN 9:00 p.m.
Nov. 11 South Carolina State at Wichita State^ ESPN3 9:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 Savannah State at Iowa BTN 3:30 p.m.
Something About Hampton
If a coach wants to jump start a career, its best to swing by Hampton University as four coaches in the MEAC have either served or are serving as a head coach for the Pirates.
Florida A&M Byron Samuels served as HU’s coach from 1995-97 while Maryland Eastern Shore’s Bobby Collins coached there from 2002-06. Howard’s Kevin Nickelberry began his career there in 2006 and coached there until 2009 before giving way to current coach Ed Joyner, Jr.
All-Time Marks
With the exception of Florida A&M, every team in the MEAC has won a regular season since its inception. Every team with the exception of Savannah State, Bethune-Cookman and Mary-land Eastern Shore has participated in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.
North Carolina A&T State has 11 regular season titles followed by 10 from Coppin State and seven from South Carolina State.
Non-Conference Woes
Last season, the MEAC finished 49-131 (.272 pct.) versus non-conference opponents. They were a perfect 10 versus NAIA programs, 8-0 against NCAA Division II opponents, 3-0 versus the Sun Belt and 2-0 versus Big Sky and Patriot Leagues. Against the SWAC, the MEAC finished with a 4-2 mark.
Firepower
Four of the top 10 MEAC scorers return this season led by Howard’s James Daniel III, who averaged 27.1 points per game. Also returning are No. 3 Eric Eaves (17.6) of South Carolina State, No. 6 Jordan Potts of Bethune -Cookman (16 ppg) and No. 8 Sam Hunt (15.4 ppg) of North Carolina A&T State.
MEAC To The Pros
Three former MEAC standouts were drafted by the NBA Developmental League recently. Hampton’s Quinton Chievous, Morgan State’s Rasean Simpson, Delaeare State’s Amere May and North Carolina A&T State’s Austin Witter were drafted by Iowa, Canton, Santa Cruz and Long Island, respectively.
Automatic
North Carolina A&T State’s Sam Hunt was automatic from the free throw line as he finished fourth nationally in the category. Hunt shot 90.4 percent from the charity stripe (109-of-121).
Summer School
Both Morgan State and Florida A&M got off to early starts as both schools participated in Canadian Summer Tours this past summer.
Bright Orange Season
Expectations are high in Orangeburg, S.C. as the Bulldogs were selected to finish second behind Howard in the preseason poll coupled with firepower from the sideline. South Carolina State head men’s basketball coach Murray Garvin was named the 2016 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) District 15 Coach of the Year, while junior guard Eric Eaves was selected to the Division I All-District Second team, announced by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).