Quick Facts on 2014 Men's Basketball Tournament
The 2013-2014 Empire 8 Athletic Conference (E8) Men's Basketball Playoff field has been set, with four teams battling for a chance to win the postseason conference championship and earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship. The playoffs begin Friday, February 28, with the Hartwick College hosting the two-day tournament.
Schedule
Friday, February 28 - Semifinals
No. 2 Stevens vs. No. 3 Nazareth– 6 p.m.
Video
Live Stats
No. 1 Hartwick vs. No. 4 Alfred – 8 p.m.
Video
Live Stats
Saturday, March 1 – Final
Stevens/Nazareth vs. Hartwick/Alfred – 3 p.m.
Video
Live Stats
Participating Teams Twitter Coverage:
Hartwick
@HawkTalk
Stevens
@StevensDucks
Nazareth
@Nazathletics
Alfred
@AUSaxons
Empire 8
@Empire8
Tournament Webpage
Before the action begins, here are some quick facts you should know about the conference tournament. (
*Quick facts will be based on the current tournament format years 2004-2014).
The Empire 8 will employ a four-team tournament format for the 11
th straight year. Prior to the 2004 tournament, the E8 champion was determined based on the regular season finish.
The 2014 E8 Tournament features three newcomers (Hartwick, Nazareth and Alfred) and only one returner from the 2013 tournament (Stevens).
Three E8 tournaments have played out according to seeding (2005, 2006, 2007).
The #1 seed is 6-4 in the semifinal game of the tournament. #2 seed (6-4), #3 seed (4-6), #4 seed (4-6).
The #4 seed has advanced to the championship game three of the last five years, winning the conference title for the first time in 2012.
The #3 seed has won the title three times (2008, 2010, 2011).
The #2 seed has won the title twice (2009, 2013).
The #1 seed has not won the conference title since 2007.
Hartwick is playing in its third E8 tournament with previous appearances coming in 2011 and 2012. It is the second time the Hawks have earned the #1 seed, however it was the 2011 season as the #3 seed that Hartwick won the E8 title.
The Ducks have made the postseason every year but one (2009) since joining the conference in 07-08
. Stevens played in its first Championship game last season (2013).
Nazareth has advanced to the Championship game all four years they have made the tournament (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012), winning the title twice (2008, 2010).
Alfred is making its first ever tournament appearance.