We’re used to the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. But in Tuesday’s Northeast Conference tournament final against Merrimack, Fairleigh Dickinson pulled the rare double — the thrill of victory and the thrill of defeat.
The Knights fell to the Warriors 67-66. Fairleigh Dickinson’s Demetre Roberts game-winning three-point attempt hit off the back of the rim and Merrimack came away with the win. But the Knights knew that they were in the tournament the second the ball left Roberts’ hands. In fact, they knew it well before then. What’s the reason? A controversial rule.
Prior to the 2019-20 season, Merrimack transferred to Division I from Division II. The NCAA has a four-year reclassification process rule, known informally as the “transition rule,” which states that teams transferring divisions are ineligible for the NCAA and NIT Tournaments. This is true even in cases like Merrimack, when the transferring team is moving up in the ranks.
The Warriors were allowed to participate in the NEC Tournament but ineligible for the bid.
Merrimack wins the NEC Championship (both the regular-season and tournament titles), but Fairleigh Dickinson advances to the NCAA Tournament due to the NCAA "transition" rule. 🏀🙄 pic.twitter.com/zrdIHrTUPx
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 8, 2023
It’s worth noting that Merrimack also won the regular season title. Had the Warriors won the tournament but not the regular season title, the regular season champion would have gotten the bid.
This has happened before — recently. A season ago, ASUN Conference tournament champion Bellarmine was ineligible for the NCAA under the same rule. Merrimack also won the NEC regular season title in 2020 and — while the NCAA and NIT Tournaments weren’t played due to the COVID-19 pandemic — the Warriors weren’t eligible anyway.
Basketball fans were unhappy to see the Warriors victimized by the transition rule.
Merrimack won the NEC regular season title and tournament title, but they're not dancing because they are too new to the Division I ranks. One of the dumbest rules in sports.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) March 8, 2023
Which is completely asinine https://t.co/tiWRbqz1Au
— Jeff E 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🍊 (@jeffinCNY) March 8, 2023
This is dumb. Let Merrimack play https://t.co/lQevTeTGKI
— Lou Merloni (@LouMerloni) March 8, 2023
Dear NCAA,
Please NEVER again allow a team in "transition" to play in a postseason tournament if its ineligible for the NCAA Tournament.
Sincerely,
America
P.S. CONGRATS TO MERRIMACK — NEC CHAMPS!
But FDU goes to the NCAA Tournament.,
Anarchy?
Nope. Just Insanity.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 8, 2023
LET MERRIMACK DANCE!!!!!!#FreeMerrimack
— Jake Marsh (@PMTsportsbiz) March 8, 2023
Of course Merrimack “wins” the NEC and doesn’t go to tourney. This rule is so stupid
— Rico Bo$co (@Return_Of_RB) March 8, 2023
LET MERRIMACK DANCE!!!!!!#FreeMerrimack
— Jake Marsh (@PMTsportsbiz) March 8, 2023
Merrimack wins the NEC but can’t go to the tourney. Yet another victim of the D1 transition rule. They are in year 4/4 pic.twitter.com/UqTUgkqIjp
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 8, 2023
Fortunately for the Warriors, this is the last year the transition rule will keep them from the tournament. As far as the rule itself goes, the NCAA may do well to rethink a rule that discourages schools from moving up divisions.
[Photo Credit: ESPN]