Why Mercyhurst, Le Moyne aren't eligible for NCAA Tournament and could create NEC tourney nightmare

Why Mercyhurst, Le Moyne aren't eligible for NCAA Tournament and could create NEC tourney nightmare originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Northeast Conference men's basketball tournament has a chance at a hilarious outcome.

It involves Mercyhurst, Le Moyne and a contentious NCAA rule.

The basic is this: If Mercyhurst and Le Moyne make the NEC conference championship game, the winner of that game won't determine who advances to the NCAA Tournament.

If they're in the title game, the NEC will actually stage a separate game between the two teams who lost in the semifinals to determine the league's automatic qualifier.

NEC

If the final is 3 seed Mercyhurst vs 4 seed Le Moyne, there will be an additional game between the losing semifinalists to determine who goes to the ncaa tournament since neither finalist would be eligible which remains the dumbest rule in sports— Stuckey (@Stuckey2) March 2, 2026

Why isn't Mercyhurst eligible for the NCAA Tournament?

Mercyhurst is still undergoing its transition up from Division II to Division I.

They're still a transitionary member, a process that lasts four years under NCAA rules.

They started their move to D-I in 2024 and won't be fully eligible for the NCAA postseason until 2027-28.

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Why isn't Le Moyne eligible for the NCAA Tournament?

Le Moyne is dealing with the same NCAA rule dilemma as Mercyhurst.

The Dolphins are still transitioning to Division I, as well. They're a year ahead of Mercyhurst, so they'll be eligible in 2026-27.

To be clear, an at-large bid also could not be given to one of these teams. They're totally unable to play in the NCAA Tournament for the four years that they transition.

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