Opinion: Merrimack, Massachusetts March Madness Bettors Hurt By Horrible NCAA Rule

The basketball team of a university was once again denied entry to the prestigious ‘Big Dance’ due to an unreasonable NCAA rule, marking the third consecutive year.

The Merrimack College men’s basketball team emerged as champions in the Northeast Conference tournament a few days ago. Their victory in this Division I conference tournament typically secures them a coveted spot in the March Madness tournament.

However, the school in North Andover, Massachusetts will have to wait for at least another year to have that opportunity. Additionally, sports bettors in Massachusetts will have to wait even longer before they can place bets on a men’s basketball team from their own state.

The NCAA’s ‘transition rule’ strikes again

Due to the NCAA’s ‘transition rule,’ the Warriors will be spectators of the tournament rather than participants, tuning in to watch it on TV.

According to the rule, when a college transitions from Division II to Division I, their teams are prohibited from participating in a postseason tournament for the initial four years at the pinnacle of collegiate athletics.

Not only is the NCAA tournament out of reach for these teams, they are also ineligible to participate in the NIT.

After accepting an invitation from the NEC, Merrimack decided to join the conference and move its athletic programs from Division II to Division I after the 2018-2019 season. As a result, this year marks their final year in the transition to Division I. Starting from next year, they will be eligible to participate in postseason events.

Merrimack exhibited complete dominance in the NEC this year. With an impressive 12-4 record in regular-season conference play, the Warriors secured the coveted top seed for the conference tournament. Their exceptional season reached its pinnacle on Tuesday, as they triumphed over Fairleigh Dickinson in a nail-biting championship game, securing a 67-66 victory.

Nevertheless, due to the transition rule, a school from Massachusetts will be absent in this year’s March Madness.

However, it is Farleigh Dickinson that will be participating in one of the most significant sporting events of the year, rather than the championship-winning team.

In their second year competing at the Division I level, Bellarmine emerged victorious in the ASUN tournament last year. Similarly, in 2021, the women’s squad at California Baptist accomplished the same feat by securing the WAC tournament title.

With poor timing, rule hurts Massachusetts sports bettors

Online sports betting was introduced in Massachusetts on Friday, the same year that Merrimack should have secured a spot in the tournament. The brick-and-mortar industry had already launched at the state’s three casinos at the end of January.

For the majority of the year, this wouldn’t be an issue. Massachusetts imposes a ban on in-state collegiate betting, meaning that individuals placing bets with a sportsbook licensed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission are prohibited from wagering on any Massachusetts university. Several MA retail sportsbooks have already faced fines for breaching this regulation.

However, if the program is participating in a tournament with four or more teams, then the aforementioned statement does not apply. The NCAA Tournament, consisting of 68 teams, exceeds the aforementioned benchmark, making it an excellent opportunity for March Madness betting and potentially engaging in local action.

Schools such as Merrimack typically have a high enrollment of students from the local area, resulting in a majority of local alumni. For those alumni who still reside in the state, it could add a touch of excitement to place a friendly bet on their alma mater.

In addition, Merrimack would have been the sole representative from the state in the tournament. The University of Massachusetts at Lowell, unfortunately, suffered a defeat against Vermont on Saturday, resulting in the loss of the America East conference tournament title and the opportunity for another automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

As of now, there will be no Massachusetts team participating in the men’s tournament. Additionally, individuals who attended school in Massachusetts will not have the chance to place bets on a hometown team.

No local action coming for men’s March Madness tournament

To clarify, my sympathy lies more with the student-athletes who will be unable to achieve their lifelong dreams. However, it’s worth noting that Merrimack College’s total enrollment for this year was 4,121, which is comparable to the size of the small Division I college I attended.

It’s a remarkable feat when your athletic programs reach a national tournament.

If Marist College continues to surprise and emerges victorious in the MAAC tournament, I might consider placing a small wager on the game. Undoubtedly, there would be Merrimack alumni who would have been eager to do the same.

If you or someone dear to you is struggling with gambling issues, reach out to a trained specialist for assistance, available round-the-clock and free of charge, by calling 1-800-327-5050 or visiting www.mahelpline.org/problemgambling.