Merrimack Men’s Basketball Projected as 15-Seed in ESPN Bracketology

Jack Lawhorne — Student Reporter

North Andover, MA — As it stands, the Merrimack men’s basketball team sits atop the MAAC standings at 14–2, and according to ESPN Bracketology, the Warriors are currently projected as a No. 15 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they would face No. 2 seed Iowa State in the Round of 64.

While this ESPN ranking is exciting, let me be clear: this projection is based entirely on regular-season results — Merrimack cannot earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament without winning the MAAC Tournament. That’s the way to do it. But, with the conference tournament still ahead, regular-season standings are the only way to estimate potential seeding.

As one of 31 Division I conferences with an automatic qualifier, the MAAC guarantees its tournament champion a bid to March Madness, and this is regardless of regular-season record.

It is worth noting, though, that earning an automatic bid does not always guarantee a direct spot in the Round of 64.

Last season, Mount St. Mary’s won the MAAC Tournament after entering as the No. 6 seed in the conference. As a result, the Mount earned their automatic bid, but the selection committee placed them in the First Four as a 16 seed, where they won to advance before facing Duke in the Round of 64.

Nonetheless, Merrimack’s path to its first NCAA Tournament appearance is not easy, but it is simple: win the MAAC Tournament.

And if the Warriors do so, their dominant regular-season performance should help them avoid the First Four and advance directly to the Round of 64.

If Merrimack falls short in the conference tournament, however, they will not receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament — regardless of their regular-season success — even a No. 1 seed in the MAAC standings cannot outweigh failing to win the conference tournament.