The Northeast Conference men's basketball championship tournament seedings was finalized Saturday, as the regular season finished up and ended with the Long Island U. Blackbirds a top of the standings.
The Blackbirds (22-8, 16-2 NEC) edged the Wagner Seahawks (24-5, 15-3) for the regular-season title. However, as college hoops fans know, the regular-season crown means nothing for mid-major programs that are trying to sneak into the NCAA Tournament.
The only way to get into the big dance is to win the conference tournament, which for the NEC begins March 1. Two regional squads, Quinnipiac and Central Connecticut, will be participating in the three-day, eight-team, single-elimination tournament.
For those interested in what the NEC Tournament bracket and schedule looks like, well, you've come to the right spot.
Quarterfinals, March 1 (all games at 7 p.m. ET)
Game 1: (No. 1-seeded) Long Island vs. (8) Sacred Heart Pioneers
Game 2: (2) Wagner Seahawks vs. (7) Cent. Connecticut St. Blue Devils
Game 3: (3) Robert Morris Colonials vs. (6) Monmouth Hawks
Game 4: (4) St. Francis, NY Terriers vs. (5) Quinnipiac Bobcats
Semifinals, March 4 (games played at lowest remaining seed and on MSG Network)
Noon: highest remaining seed vs. lowest remaining seed
6 p.m.: 2nd highest remaining seed at third highest remaining seed
Championship, March 7 (ESPN2)
7 p.m.: Semifinal Winners
For more on the NEC Tournament, check back to this SB Nation Boston StoryStream. Meanwhile, SB Nation's college basketball hub will prepare you for the month of March and the madness it brings.