Northeast Conference Tournament: Odds, Schedule, Information & Predictions
This is the worst conference according to KenPom and I guess I can’t disagree. There are no 20-win teams, no real signature wins in the non-conference schedules and the third best team isn’t even eligible to take part in this week’s festivities. What puts the NEC Tournament on equal footing with the ACC, Big 10 and other power conferences then? The money will spend the same if you bet on it and win.
When is the Northeast Conference Tournament?
Wednesday, March 1st through Tuesday, March 7th.
Where is the Northeast Conference Tournament played?
Campus sites! Arenas are expensive and everyone already has a gym, guys.
How to watch the Northeast Conference Tournament
The first round is on something called NEC Front Row, which I think is an on-demand video service put out by the conference. I honestly think you might have to stream this whole thing. The semis are on ESPN3, which isn’t actually a channel anymore, it’s streaming as well. The final will be on ESPN2 Tuesday evening.
Who won the regular season title?
Merrimack started 3-3 but went on a tear to finish 12-4 and win the NEC title and one-seed.
Defending Champ
Bryant beat the everliving stuffing out of Wagner in last year’s final before leaving for the America East in the offseason.
Who will participate
Everyone (if you’re eligible for postseason play). Stonehill won’t be in the field due to their transitional status coming up from division II.
How Many teams will the Northeast Conference send to the tournament?
There are no teams in the conference ranked inside the top 300 in any rankings I can find. Hard to see an at-large bid for the NEC
Northeastern Conference Tournament Bracket
Standard bracket with no byes, but the entire thing will be reseeded after the quarterfinals.
Northeast Conference Tournament Odds
Merrimack is chalk after a hot run will give them home court advantage throughout.
Northeast Conference Tournament Preview
Every team here has big flaws.
Merrimack is a bad rebounding team despite being in a conference without much size and can’t make free throws. They are hot though!
FD has a horrific defense overall.
St. Francis (PA) has some ok metrics but wasn’t able to secure any wins on the road against the top teams, which might come in handy seeing how they may only host the opener
The rest finished .500 or worse in conference play. Parity is always fun, but not when it’s just because no one is any good.
Northeast Conference Tournament Prediction
Merrimack has been streaking but I can’t quite justify their price seeing how they are 0-2 vs Fairleigh Dickinson this season. So give me the best offense in the league and we’ll hope and pray the porous defense doesn’t do them in.
My Bet: Fairleigh Dickinson +340 (likely not available today, looks like they took some money I’m still betting them at a lower price)
