TheNortheast Conference Tournamentends Tuesday night, but the conference has already determined who it will send to theNCAA Tournamentbefore tipoff in the final.
Long Islandwill be inMarch Madness, punching the first official ticket of 2026 after defeatingWagneron Saturday, March 7 in theNEC tournament semifinals. The conference regular-season champion Sharks clinched the spot even though they haven't won the tournament title yet, thanks to who they will face in the championship game.
March Madness automatic bids:Who is in NCAA tournament field of 68?
It will be Long Island vs.Mercyhurstin the NEC title, but Mercyhurst isn't eligible for the NCAA Tournament. Since it made the finalwith a winoverStonehill, it paved the way for the other participant to get the automatic bid.
Why Mercyhurst isn't eligible for NCAA Tournament?
Mercyhurst isn't able to be in March Madness because it is in the middle of its transition to Division I.
Advertisement
The Lakers officially made the jump from Division II to Division I in July 2024, starting the mandatory four-year process under NCAA rules. It means Mercyhurst isn't eligible for the NCAA Tournament until the 2027-28 season.
Another NEC team is going through a similar process in Le Moyne. The Dolphins made the jump in July 2023 and aren't able to make the NCAA Tournament until the 2026-27 season.
There was a scenario in place where Mercyhurst and Le Moyne made the NEC conference championship game. If both of those teams would have made it, then there would have been a game between the two losing semifinalists to determine who gets the automatic spot.
Long Island will have the chance to leave no doubt in their selection by winning the conference title. The Sharks and Lakers will play on Tuesday, March 10 for the NEC crown.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Why Mercyhurst can't make March Madness if it beats LIU for NEC title