MEAC Tourney Dance Revolution

By Jarrett Carter

Atlantic 11 voter and HBCU Sports Blog proprietor Jarrett Carter files this dispatch from the MEAC Tourney in Raleigh, home to today's semifinals that include three Atlantic-11 eligible teams. (Coppin State, Morgan State and Norfolk State)

Welcome to the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC., this year's site of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and five Bog Poll teams in Morgan State, Hampton, Norfolk State, Howard University, and the University of Maryland- Eastern Shore. Coppin State can't understand the logic of being neglected by Bog Poll officials, but do say that they enjoy the Atlantic 11 pith in spite of the disrespect. That what I imagine they say in their hotel rooms here in Raleigh.

Thursday night

Third seed Norfolk State faces FAMU in the 6 p.m. game. To no one's surprise, there have been no costumes, as black folks much prefer donning fraternity and sorority garb against the much more bloggable Pikachu and teddy bear costumes. While this makes my blunder of leaving the charger for the now non-functional digital camera at home seem less idiotic, I'm not out of the dunder-head woods yet, as these gems were not picked up by your crafty blogger and his trusty left-behind camera:

* A dance battle between a teenage fan and a wistful, elderly staff member during halftime of the Morgan State Lady Bears and the Delaware State Lady Hornets noon game. Think Chris Brown vs. Fred Sanford.

* The fan cam showing the same woman on the big screen as she continuously and unsuccessfully attempted to eat a hot dog and fries without the laughing stares of hundreds.

* Another dance battle between the Morgan State and Delaware State mascots, which included stolen material from Michael Jackson and Omarion. Think 'Billy Jean' vs. the cast of 'You Got Served.'

Previous highlights include....

Wednesday Night

Top seed Morgan handled South Carolina State 77-68 on Wednesday, allowing a collective sigh of relief for alumni who have seen a winning Bears team about as often as a Brandon Lloyd highlight. From all accounts, no sandwich misunderstandings have taken place, which is not surprising considering that the RBC Center sells barbecued Turkey legs that look like they should have a live action cameo in '10,000 B.C.' More on the turkey legs later this week.

Tuesday Night

Something must be in the water in Virginia, because there's no other reason for Tidewater teams to choke and drown the way they have in the past two weeks. First, my sure bet for the Bog Challenge, Old Dominion, went down in flames to William & Mary. Surely, the second-seed Hampton Pirates, who beat VCU in the regular season, would make light work of the surging Coppin State Eagles, who won nine of their last ten regular season games coming into the tournament.

Nope.

Down goes Hampton, 75-74 in overtime. Leave us off the Poll, will you?

Monday Night

The UMES Fighting Hawks were the only team to trump the Terrapins in bringing disgrace to the state system of higher education, but you gotta love their spunk. The 11th seed fought valiantly but bowed to Florida A&M in the first game of the men's bracket, 70-61. The Rattlers will be soon asking the Mexican government to reconsider the symbology behind their national flag.

To be continued....

By Dan Steinberg |  March 14, 2008; 11:42 AM ET  | Category:  College Basketball
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Posted by: Eric Angevine | March 14, 2008 1:40 PM

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