The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced its official spring 2021 men's and women's basketball schedules on Thursday.
Teams will be split into Northern and Southern Divisions, similar to baseball, softball, volleyball, and bowling. Teams will only play regular season contests against teams in their division.
The MEAC chose to enact divisional play in an effort to minimize both travel time and time spent outside of class, reduce travel expenses and eliminate air travel.
"The mental and physical health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans must be at the forefront," MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas said. "With that in mind, creative and innovative scheduling was required to accomplish our goals. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to restrict travel to regional competition. Hopefully, the type of schedule is for spring 2021 only."
Forming the MEAC Southern Division is Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central and South Carolina State. Making up the Northern Division is Coppin State, Delaware State, Howard, Morgan State, Norfolk State and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Each MEAC team will play a 16 game conference schedule, with games being played on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Florida A&M kicks off MEAC play on Jan. 2 in Daytona Beach against the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman.
On Jan. 9, the Rattlers begin a two-game road trip to North Carolina to square off against North Carolina Central and the Aggies of North Carolina A&T on Jan. 11.
Florida A&M returns to Tallahassee to kick off a five-game home stand on Jan. 16 against South Carolina State. The Rattlers will battle NC A&T once again on Jan. 23, before challenging the NC Central Eagles on Jan. 25.
FAMU plays host to BCU on Jan. 27 and SCSU on Jan. 29.
The Rattlers begin a four-game road swing starting with a contest versus NC A&T on Feb. 6. Florida A&M once again travels to Durham, N.C. to do battle with NC Central.
On Feb. 10, FAMU visits Orangeburg, S.C. for a showdown with SCSU before wrapping up the road trip against BCU on Feb. 15.
Florida A&M returns to the Al Lawson Center for three games against NC A&T on Feb. 20, NC Central on Feb. 22, and the home finale against BCU on Feb 27.
FAMU concludes the season the on the road at SCSU on March 4.
The MEAC Basketball Tournament is currently scheduled for March 8-13, 2021 in the Norfolk Scope Arena.
All game times will be announced at a later date.
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