Long Island University became the first team to get an invitation to the dance – and they didn’t even win their conference tournament.

The LIU Sharks beat Wagner 64-56 to get to the NEC championship game. But in the other semi-final, Mercyhurst beat Stonehill 56-51. But Mercyhurst is still in their 4 year transition period from Division II to Division I. So whether the NEC regular season champions can beat Mercyhurst on Tuesday, LIU will still claim the NEC automatic bid.

Later this evening, we have our first actual conference championship final and it feels the way it should happen. The Ohio Valley Conference had co-champions for their regular season as both Tennessee State and Morehead State went 15-5. So, there seems like there is some cosmic justice that the Tennessee State Tigers and Morehead State Eagles have won their way to the title game in Evansville so that they can break the tie on the court.

The Madness is here!!!!