What Is 2010 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament

Overview

The 2010 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament determined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's representative for the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. It featured the top eight teams from the conference's regular season standings, competing in a single-elimination format.

Hosted at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the tournament concluded with South Carolina State claiming its first MEAC title since 1999. The championship game, held on March 13, 2010, drew significant attention due to Morgan State’s undefeated conference record during the regular season.

• March 10–13, 2010: The tournament spanned four days, beginning with first-round matchups and culminating in the championship final on Saturday.
• Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum: This 13,000-seat arena in Winston-Salem, NC, has hosted the MEAC Tournament multiple times since 2009.
• South Carolina State: Entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed and advanced through the bracket to win the title with a 75–65 victory.
• Morgan State: Entered as the top seed after going 15–1 in MEAC play, the only loss coming in the championship game.
• NCAA automatic bid: The winner received the conference’s automatic qualification to the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, where South Carolina State was seeded No. 16 in the East Region.

How It Works

The MEAC Tournament follows a structured single-elimination format that determines the conference’s automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament. Each participating team earns a seed based on regular-season performance, with higher seeds receiving favorable matchups.

• Single-elimination format: Teams must win each game to advance; one loss results in elimination from the tournament.
• Eight-team bracket: Only the top eight teams in the MEAC qualify, based on conference win-loss records at season’s end.
• Seeding: Determined by regular-season standings, with tiebreakers applied if teams have identical records.
• Game locations: Since 2009, the tournament has been held at a neutral site—Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum—to increase attendance and fairness.
• Automatic NCAA bid: The winner earns the MEAC’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, regardless of regular-season performance.
• Television coverage: Games were broadcast on ESPN3 and televised regionally, increasing visibility for MEAC programs.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five MEAC teams in the 2009–10 season based on regular-season performance and tournament outcomes:

This table highlights how regular-season dominance did not guarantee tournament success—Morgan State, despite its 15–1 record, fell short in the final. South Carolina State, seeded third, demonstrated the unpredictability of single-elimination play by defeating higher-seeded opponents en route to the title. The tournament format rewards peak performance at the right time, not just consistency.

Why It Matters

The 2010 MEAC Tournament had significant implications for player development, institutional exposure, and NCAA Tournament representation. It underscored the importance of postseason performance in shaping a program's national profile.

• National exposure: Winning the tournament allowed South Carolina State to appear in the NCAA Tournament, gaining visibility on a national stage.
• Recruiting boost: Success in March enhances a school’s ability to attract high-potential student-athletes from across the country.
• Historic achievement: South Carolina State’s win marked its first MEAC title in 11 years, revitalizing the program’s basketball legacy.
• Financial impact: NCAA Tournament appearances generate revenue for the conference and participating schools through television payouts.
• Player recognition: Standout performers like Devon Carter of South Carolina State received All-Tournament honors, boosting draft prospects.
• Conference pride: The MEAC’s only bid to the NCAA Tournament was secured, maintaining the conference’s presence in national conversations.

The 2010 MEAC Tournament remains a memorable chapter in conference history, illustrating how underdog runs and late-season surges can redefine a season’s legacy.