NAC Men's Basketball 2022 Championship Tournament Field
NAC Men's Basketball 2022 Championship Tournament Field
Waterville, Maine - North Atlantic Conference Men's Basketball Championship divisional tournament fields were selected today. All six teams in each division qualified for the 2021-22 NAC Championship tournament.
The tournament gets underway on Tuesday, February 15th with first-round games hosted by the #3 and #4 seeds while the top-two seeds in each division receive a first-round bye. First-round winners advance to the quarterfinals, hosted by divisional top seeds.
This marks the first NAC Men's Basketball season with divisional regular and postseason formats. Established when membership in the league grew from nine to twelve in 2020, the divisional format was originally set to begin during the 2020-21 season but was not completed due to the COVID pandemic. As games were canceled throughout this season, the 2022 playoff picture grew from eight to 12 qualifying teams.
Teams were seeded using divisional win-loss records and conference tiebreaking procedures.
In the West, top-seed SUNY Delhi (19-6 overall, 9-1 division) secured a first-round bye and hosting rights for the quarterfinals and semifinals. SUNY Poly (16-9) also concluded regular-season games with a 9-1 divisional record and earned a first-round bye, earning the #2 seed by virtue of pre-determined tiebreakers. The defending champions of SUNY Canton (12-11, 6-4) are seeded third and will host the sixth-seeded SUNY Cobleskill Fighting Tigers (3-19, 1-9) on Tuesday. Northern Vermont-Johnson (9-14, 4-6) secured the #4 seed and will host #5 Cazenovia (7-17, 1-9) for the other first-round game in the West.
In the East, Husson University (12-9, 8-2) secured the top seed and home-court advantage for the divisional rounds. UMaine-Farmington (13-6) also wrapped up the season with an 8-2 divisional record and earned a first-round bye and the #2 seed by virtue of an 0-2 record against the Eagles. UMaine-Presque Isle (14-9, 6-3) earned the #3 seed and will host #6 Thomas College (4-13, 1-9) on Tuesday. Fourth seed Maine Maritime Academy (4-15, 2-5) will host the final first-round game against the visiting NVU-Lyndon Hornets (6-17) who land in fifth with a divisional record of 2-6.
As the #1 seeds, Husson and Delhi may choose to play the first or second quarterfinal games on February 18 & 19, 2022. The order and start times for first-round, quarterfinal, and semifinal games will be finalized Monday, February 14, 2022. Game times may vary from what is listed if the same school also hosts women's tournament games.
Divisional winners will meet for the NAC championship game on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 2:00 PM. The advancing team from the East Division will host the championship game.
The NAC Champion will earn the conference automatic qualification bid (AQ) to compete in the 2022 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament.
Men's Basketball 2021-22 Tournament Field
EAST DIVISION
1. Husson University (12-9, 8-2 East) HOST
2. UMaine-Farmington (13-6, 8-2)
3. UMaine-Presque Isle (14-9, 6-3)
4. Maine Maritime Academy (4-15, 2-5)
5. Northern Vermont-Lyndon (6-17, 2-6)
6. Thomas College (4-13, 1-9)
WEST DIVISION
1. SUNY Delhi (19-6, 9-1 West) HOST
2. SUNY Poly (16-9, 9-1)
3. SUNY Canton (12-11, 6-4)
4. Northern Vermont-Johnson (9-14, 4-6)
5. Cazenovia College (7-17, 1-9)
6. SUNY Cobleskill (3-19, 1-9)
Men's Basketball 2021-22 Tournament Schedule
Game times updated on Monday, February 14, 2022.
EAST DIVISION
Round 1: Tuesday, February 15.
#4 Maine Maritime vs #5 NVU-Lyndon @ 4:15 PM
#3 UMPI vs #6 Thomas @ 5:30 PM
Quarterfinals: Friday, February 18, @ #1 Seed Husson
Quarterfinal - #1 Husson vs (#4 Maine Maritime /#5 NVU-Lyndon) @ 5:30 PM
Quarterfinal - #2 UMF vs (#3 UMPI / #6 Thomas) @ 7:30 PM
Semifinals: Saturday, February 19 @ #1 Seed Husson. Game Time 2:00 PM.
Quarterfinal 1 winner vs Quarterfinal 2 winner
***
WEST DIVISION
Round 1: Tuesday, February 15 @ higher seed.
#4 NVU-Johnson vs #5 Cazenovia @ 5:30 PM
#3 SUNY Canton vs #6 SUNY Cobleskill @ 7:00 PM
Quarterfinals: Friday, February 18 @ #1 Seed Delhi
Quarterfinal - #1 SUNY Delhi vs (#4 NVU-Johnson /#5 Cazenovia) @ 5:30 PM
Quarterfinal - #2 SUNY Poly vs (#3 SUNY Canton / #6 SUNY Cobleskill) @ 7:30 PM
Semifinals: Saturday, February 19 @ #1 Seed Delhi
Quarterfinal 1 winner vs Quarterfinal 2 winner @ 2:00 PM
***
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, February 26 in the East.
East Division Champ vs West Division Champ @ 2:00 PM
Follow the NAC on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.