Seeding Scenarios For the NEC Tournament
There are lots of scenarios possible for the NEC Tournament seeding, although we’ve known the 4 teams that will be participating for a full week. Here’s a breakdown of where the tournament might be and what we could see. The regular season championship is down to Chicago State and Saint Francis, but that doesn’t mean these are the guaranteed top 2 seeds. Let’s take a look.
Current Standings Recap
Chicago State: 11-1
Saint Francis: 10-2
FDU: 9-3
LIU: 8-4
Matchups This Weekend
Chicago State vs. Saint Francis U (2-game series in Loretto, PA)
FDU vs. Stonehill (2-game series in Easton, MA)
LIU vs. Central Connecticut (2-game series in Brooklyn, NY)
Le Moyne vs. Mercyhurst (non-tournament teams)
Key Tiebreakers
Saint Francis holds tiebreakers over both FDU and LIU.
FDU holds a tiebreaker over LIU.
Chicago State holds a tiebreaker over LIU
Chicago State and Saint Francis have not faced each other yet.
Seeding Scenarios
1. Chicago State (11-1, First Place)
If Chicago State wins at least 1 game against Saint Francis U: Chicago State clinches the #1 seed and will host the tournament. Even with a split, their record would remain above Saint Francis.
If Chicago State sweeps Saint Francis U: They secure the #1 seed outright with a dominant 13-1 conference record.
If Chicago State loses both games to Saint Francis U: Chicago State would fall to 11-3. Based on tiebreakers, Saint Francis would emerge as the #1 seed in this scenario. Chicago State could fall as far as #3 depending on tiebreakers with FDU.
2. Saint Francis (10-2, Second Place)
If Saint Francis sweeps Chicago State: Saint Francis would finish 12-2, claiming the #1 seed and the right to host the tournament. Chicago State would drop to 11-3 and fall to the #2 seed.
If Saint Francis splits with Chicago State: Saint Francis would remain at #2, as Chicago State would hold the top seed with a better record.
If Saint Francis loses both games: They would finish 10-4 and could potentially slip to the #3 seed if FDU sweeps Stonehill and moves to 11-3. Saint Francis holds the tiebreaker over LIU and cannot fall to #4.
3. FDU (9-3, Third Place)
If FDU sweeps Stonehill: FDU would improve to 11-3. If Chicago State loses both games, FDU could contend for the #2 or #3 seed based on tiebreakers.
If FDU splits with Stonehill: FDU would finish 10-4 and would stay in the #3 spot.
If FDU loses both games: They would finish 9-5, opening the door for LIU to potentially jump to the #3 seed if LIU wins both games.
4. LIU (8-4, Fourth Place)
If LIU sweeps Central Connecticut: LIU would finish 10-4. They could potentially rise to the #3 seed if FDU drops both games to Stonehill.
If LIU splits with Central Connecticut: LIU would end at 9-5, securing the #4 seed regardless of other outcomes.
If LIU loses both games: LIU would remain the #4 seed.
Potential Hosting Scenarios
Chicago State Hosts: Chicago State clinches the #1 seed with a single win over Saint Francis U, keeping the tournament in Chicago.
Saint Francis Hosts: Saint Francis must sweep Chicago State to host. This would be a major boost given Chicago State’s travel distance.
Summary of Likely Outcomes
Chicago State needs one win against Saint Francis to host and secure the #1 seed.
Saint Francis must sweep to host, otherwise, they’ll likely travel to Chicago along with FDU and LIU.
FDU and LIU are competing for the #3 and #4 seeds, with FDU in a stronger position but susceptible to a slip if they don’t perform well against Stonehill.
This final weekend promises high-stakes volleyball, with each match shaping the journey to the NEC Championship. Whether in Chicago or Loretto, the 4 top teams will battle it out to crown the 2024 NEC champion.
