NORFOLK, Va. - The 2021 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's and women's basketball tournaments, scheduled for Norfolk's Scope Arena, will go on - but the event will look different than years past.
MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis Thomas confirmed, due to ongoing COVID-19 regulations, the tournament will limit attendance to 250 people per game - all being guests of student-athletes and coaches. No public tickets will be sold for the 2021 event.
"It's a bummer," Dr. Thomas admitted during a Zoom press conference with local media Tuesday. "But, even without the energy in the arena - the basketball is not going to be diminished. These are the cards we were dealt, and we have to make the best of a horrible situation."
The 2020 MEAC tournament was canceled due to COVID-19.
Dr. Thomas confirmed if the city or the state increases capacity limits between now and the tournament, the conference's leaderships has decided the capacity will remain at 250. However, he and the league look forward to returning to "normal" times for the 2022 event.
"Be patient," Dr. Thomas said when asked what message he would send to loyal MEAC followers. "We look forward to you coming down for the 2022 tournament. Hopefully this is a one-off experience, and we can get back to business next year."
The 2021 MEAC men's and women's basketball tournament is scheduled for March 11-13, 2021 at Norfolk's Scope Arena.
Below is the latest schedule for the 2021 MEAC men's and women's basketball tournament.
Sunday, March 7, 2021 -- FIRST ROUND
Game 1 (Women): North No. 4 at North No. 3, Time TBA -- campus site, hosted by No. 3
Game 2 (Men): South No. 4 at South No. 3, Time TBA -- campus site, hosted by No. 3
Thursday, March 11, 2021 -- QUARTERFINALS
Game 3 (Women): Winner of Game 1 vs. South No. 2 seed, 12 p.m. -- Scope Arena
Game 4 (Women): South No. 3 seed vs. North No. 2 seed, 2 p.m.* -- Scope Arena
Game 5 (Men): North No. 3 seed, vs. South No. 2 seed, 6 p.m. -- Scope Arena
Game 6 (Men): Winner of Game 2 vs. North No. 2 seed, 8 p.m.* -- Scope Arena
Friday, March 12, 2021 -- SEMIFINALS
Game 7 (Women): Winner of Game 3 vs. North No. 1 seed, 12 p.m. -- Scope Arena
Game 8 (Women): Winner of Game 4 vs. South No. 1 seed, 2 p.m.* -- Scope Arena
Game 9 (Men): Winner of Game 5 vs. North No. 1 seed, 6 p.m. -- Scope Arena
Game 10 (Men): Winner of Game 6 vs. South No. 1 seed, 8 p.m.* -- Scope Arena
Saturday, March 13, 2021 -- CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
Game 11 (Men): Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 10, 1 p.m. -- Scope Arena (ESPN2)
Game 12 (Women): Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 8, TBA* -- Scope Arena (ESPN3/ESPNU rebroadcast)
*time approximate
All dates and times are subject to change
All games (other than Saturday) streamed on FloHoops
