Norfolk St, NC Central to Battle for Top Billing at MEAC Tourney
2024 MEAC Odds: Defending Champ Howard Priced +400
The MEAC Tournament tips off Wednesday at Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va. Norfolk State, the NCAAB regular-season champion, is the top seed.
The final is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The winner will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Howard, the No. 4 seed this year, is the defending champion.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down the 2024 MEAC odds ahead of tip-off.
THE FAVORITE
Norfolk State (+180)
Norfolk State went 21-10, including 11-3 in MEAC play, to claim the regular-season title. The Spartans are looking to avenge a 65-64 loss to Howard in last season’s tournament final.
The Spartans tend to play through UNC Wilmington transfer Jamarii Thomas, who averages 17.5 points and is a 39% 3-point shooter. Thomas has 10 20-point games and five NCAAB games of 25 points or more.
Norfolk State is rated 237th nationally by KenPom, the highest of any MEAC team. However, it was just 11-16 against college basketball spreads.
TOP CONTENDERS
North Carolina Central (+220)
Norfolk State may be the 2024 MEAC odds betting favorite, but North Carolina Central isn’t far behind. North Carolina Central (17-12, 9-5) won four of its final five games to grab the No. 2 seed.
The Eagles are balanced. Three players are averaging between 14.7 and 15.1 points, led by guard Fred Cleveland Jr. Cleveland Jr. — who is coming off a rare scoreless outing against South Carolina State — ranks 34th in the country in assist rate (5.4/game).
North Carolina Central split a pair of games against Norfolk State during the regular season, so it’s clearly capable of beating the league’s top college basketball team.
Howard (+400)
Defending champion Howard went just 15-16, a seven-win decrease in the NCAAB standings from 2022-23. It could struggle to repeat, having lost twice already to Norfolk State.
The fourth-seeded Bison (9-5 in MEAC) have some capable scorers, including Bryce Harris (16.3) and Seth Towns (14.4), but they struggle on the other end of the floor. They rank just 337th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency.
That will need to be fixed for the Bison to return to the Big Dance.
South Carolina State (+550)
South Carolina State is trending in the right direction, having won five of its last six games. The Bulldogs (14-17, 9-5) went 1-3 against the two higher seeds, so there’s some skepticism about their ceiling.
South Carolina State lacks offensive punch without a single NCAAB player averaging double figures in points.
Nevertheless, momentum appears to be on its side.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
Delaware State (+1000)
Delaware State has won just once since Feb. 19. Ironically, that victory came against Norfolk State, 85-71 at home.
As the No. 6 seed, the Hornets (13-17, 6-8) have a tough draw in Thursday’s quarterfinals against South Carolina State.
They have a talented one-two punch in Martaz Robinson (16.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG) and Jevin Muniz (15.0 PPG).
LONGSHOT
 Morgan State (+2200)
Morgan State started 5-3 in MEAC play but struggled down the stretch, dropping four of its last six games. As such, the Bears (11-19, 7-7) settled for the No. 5 seed and will face Howard in the quarterfinals.
Morgan State is rated 331st nationally by KenPom, including 343rd in adjusted defensive efficiency. That, to put it bluntly, is not good.
East Carolina transfer and top scorer Wynston Tabbs (15.2 PPG) did not play in the regular-season finale against Coppin State.
Rest of 2024 MEAC Odds:
Maryland Eastern Shore (+9000)
Coppin State (+15000)
For betting lines on NCAA basketball, analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
