With eight conference games remaining, the Mid-American Conference has come into shape as basketball fans approach the MAC Tournament in March. Looking forward to tournament time, The Post took time to rank each MAC team based on what they’ve done this season.
Here are The Post’s power rankings for Men’s Basketball in the Mid-American Conference.
Akron
This one isn’t a tough choice, nor should it be shocking. Coming off a MAC tournament victory and NCAA Tournament appearance, Akron hasn’t slowed down despite losing its core players. Akron is the only team that remains perfect in conference with a 10-0 record in MAC games. The Zips haven’t only beaten teams; they’ve destroyed them. Most notably, Akron had a blowout win against Miami, scoring upward of 100 points. Akron also had key wins against Ohio, Toledo and Kent State en route to its 10-0 start.
Toledo
Toledo has epitomized what it means to be a MAC contender over the last decade. Although the Rockets haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 1980, they haven’t had a season below .500 since coach Tod Kowalczyk’s first season back in 2010-11. Fourteen years later and it’s much the same, with Toledo claiming a 14-8 record and multiple big-time wins. The Rockets are one of the only MAC teams to have hung with the Zips at home and the only in-conference opponent to claim a victory over the Bobcats in The Convo.
Ohio
When Ohio is at full strength, it is among the best teams in the conference by far. Ohio is undefeated in MAC games where all its opening-night starters are in the lineup. The problem has been when Ohio is missing players like AJ Clayton, Aidan Hadaway and Shereef Mitchell, all three of whom have missed multiple games.
Miami
Miami has been one of the most prolific offenses in the MAC and is undoubtedly a threat in the postseason. However, the weight of their biggest losses far outweighs the staple wins on the RedHawks schedule thus far. Miami’s 102-75 margin is the second largest margin of loss a MAC team has suffered to Akron, while its 4-point home win over Ohio takes a hit due to the injuries Ohio came in with.
Kent State
Statistically speaking, Kent State is one of the MAC’s darlings. KenPom’s rankings have the Golden Flashes firmly second in the MAC as one of just three positive teams in the conference. However, wins and losses show Kent State still has a ways to go. The Flashes hold an elite defense but a modest 5-5 record in MAC play, with losses against several of the MAC’s other top competitors and a couple of questionable ones to the Broncos and Cardinals.
Central Michigan
The Chippewas are the best MAC team in their home state of Michigan, but that’s about where their success stops. Losses to Buffalo and Ball State leave Central Michigan out of the upper tier of the MAC. However, the team is still probable to sneak into the tournament as an eight-seed if it can squeak out a few wins down the stretch.
Ball State
Ball State is a tricky team to rank. Although the Cardinals roster two of the best players in the conference, Payton Sparks and Jermahri Hill, they’ve struggled against some teams much lower in the rankings. Ball State remains the only team in the conference to lose to Northern Illinois. However, Ball State has put up good enough fights against Miami, Akron and Ohio to stay around the middle of this list.
Bowling Green
Bowling Green was a mid-major fan favorite in the early season due to big man Marcus Johnson’s exploits over Michigan State, keeping Bowling Green competitive for most of the matchup. However, the early results have yet to show their face later on, as Bowling Green has lost six of its last eight games with wins only over Buffalo and Northern Illinois.
Eastern Michigan
The Eagles are in a free fall down the MAC rankings after three straight losses to beatable opponents. Eastern Michigan would be a lot lower on this list if not for early season wins against Ohio and Bowling Green that make it seem like more of a contender. If the team can turn things around soon, then it could sneak into the tournament and do some damage.
Western Michigan
Of the four teams that currently hold a 4-6 MAC record, Western Michigan has by far the least impressive resume. The Broncos have struggled to put up any kind of fight against the conference’s top teams and also suffered an ugly early season loss to a Buffalo Bulls team that hasn’t had much success this season. Western Michigan is another team that would be a shock to make it to Cleveland at tournament time.
Buffalo
There hasn’t been much to love from the MAC’s bottom two teams, who have separated themselves from the pack in all the wrong ways. Buffalo won the head-to-head over Western Michigan but has been the far worse team, already up to double-digit road losses and sitting at just 5-5 at home.
Northern Illinois
It hasn’t been a good year for Northern Illinois. At 1-9, the Huskies are a long shot to make the tournament come March. A win at home against Ball State was a high point in what has been a rough season for the team. With a rematch against Ball State as well as games against Akron and Miami left on the schedule, it’s hard to see a world where Northern Illinois ends the year with more than three conference wins.
