The Northeast Conference Tournament isn’t over, but the conference has already determined who it will send to the NCAA Tournament.
Long Island will be in March Madness, punching the first official ticket of 2026 after defeating Wagner on Saturday, March 7 in the NEC 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.
It will be Long Island vs. Mercyhurst in the NEC title, but Mercyhurst isn’t eligible for the NCAA Tournament. Since it made the final with a win over Stonehill, 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.
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.