Playoff Picture Getting Clearer

Wednesday night, Boston University, Hartford, Albany and Binghamton picked up wins to clinch seeds for the upcoming tournament or take a step forward in the overall picture. The Hawks solidified themselves as the 2 seed with a 57-47 win over Vermont, who will enter the tournament as the 3 seed. The Bearcats will definitely be playing in the 4-5 game for the fifth-straight year, as they clinched the fourth seed with a 56-53, buzzer-beating win over New Hampshire up in Durham. Binghamton's Jackie Ward broke a tie with under 5 seconds remaining by draining a three-pointer.

The Terriers had to work hard, but they did leave Baltimore with a 73-66 win over UMBC, extending their unbeaten streak to 16 and moved to 15-0 in conference play. The victory also gave them the regular season championship outright.

Albany avenged an earlier loss to Stony Brook and won at Pritchard Gym, 57-40. With the win, the Great Danes still have a chance to finish as high at 7th. If they were to tie with Maine with 3-13 records, the tiebreaker would be decided on whether UNH or UMBC earn the #5 seed. The Black Bears split the series with UNH, while the Great Danes split the series with UMBC; each were swept by the other opponent. Whichever tiebreakers go, Albany and Maine would face-off in the first round game Thursday night at Hartford if the Great Danes fall to the Terriers Saturday afternoon.

The bracket will be finalized and announced Saturday night after the regular season finale is complete. All eyes will be on that last game--Stony Brook at Maine, 7 p.m.--as that will determine the final pairings for the tournament.