The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's and women's basketball teams have each secured spots in the 2016 East Coast Conference Basketball Tournament, which starts Wednesday night. STAC has the rare distinction - along with only the hosts from the University of the District of Columbia - of being one of only two ECC institutions with participants in both the women's and men's tourneys.

After surviving a mid-season lull, the Lady Spartans found their stride in the regular season's final weeks, winning five straight and posting an 18-10 overall record. While they took the 6th and final seed, STAC didn't exactly squeak in, actually tying with Molloy for fifth place and earning the playoff berth by three games over Bridgeport.

One year ago, the Lady Spartans entered the tournament as the #6 seed and traveled to #3 Roberts Wesleyan College, pulling the upset before being ousted by eventual champ Queens in the semi-finals. This time the task is equally tough, as #3 UDC awaits in Wednesday night's 5:00 pm start.

While the teams split their regular-season series, the Lady Spartans scored a surprising 75-56 victory at UDC just over a week ago, in a nationally-televised game on February 21. The winner of this game advances to face #2 Queens College on Saturday, March 5.

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On the men's side, there is at once more certainty, and more uncertainty. The Spartans earned the top seed and the first round bye, meaning they will play in the semis at 5:00 on Saturday at UDC. They will not know their opponent, however, until Wednesday's first round is complete, as the Spartans will square off with the winner of the Bridgeport-LIU Post contest.

With Wheeling Jesuit's recent loss, STAC now owns the longest active winning streak in Division II in the nation, having reeled off 18 straight since their last loss, on December 19, 2015. Their 24-4 record - 18-2 in conference play - has them ranked #7 in the East in the most recent NCAA Poll, putting a berth in this season's national tournament well within reach.

Regardless of who they face on Saturday, each potential opponent poses a different challenge for the Spartans. #4 LIU Post carries the distinction of being the last team to defeat STAC, a 75-66 decision at Aquinas Hall. Bridgeport, meanwhile, comes in as the #5 seed but is still the team to beat, entering the post-season as three-time defending champs.

The winner of Saturday's semi-finals will advance to play for the ECC Championship on Sunday, March 6.

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- Steve Balsan, St. Thomas Aquinas Sports Information