3MW’s All Conference Team:
Player of the Year: Anthony Tarke, R Sr., Coppin St.
Coach of the Year: Juan Dixon, Coppin St.
Newcomer of the Year: Anthony Tarke, R Sr., Coppin St.
Freshman of the Year: Nendah Tarke, Coppin St.
Season Storylines:
Based on those awards, you might think Coppin State obliterated the league. But though the Eagles did have an outstanding campaign, winning the Northern division via tiebreak over Norfolk State, they are far from a lock to take home the MEAC’s NCAA bid. Earning a bye certainly gives the Brothers Tarke and veteran point guard Dejuan Clayton a solid chance to take Coppin State dancing for the first time since 2008, but several other contenders will have something to say first.
The best record in the league actually belonged to North Carolina A&T, who dominated a soft-ish Southern division thanks to a deep backcourt. Kameron Langley was an assist machine once again, and Will Jones actually fuond some success via playing a slightly less insane tempo. Curiously, key forward Tyrone Lyons is nowhere to be found on the official roster after starting every game this season, and if he’s indeed off the team, that will hurt.
A&T will have to deal with the winner of North Carolina Central, my preseason favorite who got absolutely whacked by COVID shutdowns all season, and Norfolk State, my postseason favorite. The Spartans struggled a little more than usual on the defensive end, but Robert Jones is a terrific coach, and the trio of Devante Carter, Joe Bryant, and JJ Matthews will be heard from in this tournament.
Morgan State is the other primary threat here, as Kevin Broadus loaded up with talent in the offseason. Not all of that talent is still healthy and on the court, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to have transfers from Cincinnati, UNLV, and Jacksonville State among the team’s top weapons. Florida A&M is no pushover, though; the Rattlers have the MEAC’s best defense, a star scorer in MJ Randolph, and a 300-lb. post up threat named Evins Desir who is a walking mismatch when on the floor.
Unfortunately, Delaware St. and South Carolina St. did not qualify for the limited postseason format that the MEAC opted for, but at least they both managed to register a conference win!
We knew Bethune-Cookman would not be playing, and UMES opted out before every playing a game as well. The big disappointment, though, was never seeing Howard in its full form. Makur Maker got hurt, 2020 MEAC Freshman of the Year Wayne Bristol was hurt, Nojel Eastern never got on the court after transfers all received immediate eligibility, and the Bison eventually had to cancel their season, as well.
Tournament Preview
Tournament Predictions
(N3) Morgan St. over (S2) Florida A&M
(N2) Norfolk St. over (S3) North Carolina Central
(N1) Coppin St. over (N3) Morgan St.
(N2) Norfolk St. over (S1) North Carolina A&T
(N2) Norfolk St. over (N1) Coppin St.