Central Connecticut State, Weber State seek NCAA berths

Mar 7, 2007 - 6:01 PM By PA SportsTicker

Central Connecticut won the Northeast Conference by four games during the regular season. It also posted a pair of wins over Sacred Heart.

However, if Central Connecticut cannot beat Sacred Heart for a third time this season in the Northeast Conference championship game Wednesday, none of those accomplishments will mean anything.

Central Connecticut State (21-11) will have the luxury of playing on its home court in New Britain.

The Blue Devils, who are seeking their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2002, have won 14 of their last 15 games. They emerged with a 74-68 victory over Mount St. Mary's in Sunday's semifinals.

During the regular season, the Blue Devils went 16-2 in conference play, including a pair of double-digit victories over the Pioneers (18-13). The most recent meeting was an 80-66 road triumph February 12.

The Pioneers were second in the conference at 12-6 and are seeking their first NCAA appearance since moving to Division I eight years ago. They posted an 83-69 victory over Quinnipiac on Sunday.

Sacred Heart will be trying to continue a prevalent trend in conference championships this season. Four schools - Creighton, Niagara, Eastern Kentucky and North Texas - have avenged a pair of regular-season losses with wins in the league title game.

There also is an NCAA Tournament berth on the line in the Big Sky Conference, where top-seeded Weber State (19-11) hosts Northern Arizona (18-11) in Ogden, Utah.

Like Central Connecticut State, Weber State also will be trying for a trifecta against Northern Arizona. The Wildcats posted an 81-73 road win in December and an 86-79 home triumph February 3.

Weber State failed to qualify for the conference tournament last season and is seeking its first NCAA appearance since 2003. Northern Arizona lost to Montana in last year's conference title game and has not been to the "Big Dance" since 2000.

So far, 12 automatic bids have been awarded. There are no conference championships Thursday, and the Patriot League will be decided Friday when Holy Cross faces Bucknell.

The entire 65-team field will be announced by the NCAA Selection Committee on Sunday.