RoyalBlu

When judging these recruiting classes I personally look at a few things: 1) Who's making style/philosophy changes. Last season it was obvious Kent made changes to more mirror Akron and Miami. Didn't get better than those two, but was clearly ahead of the rest of the MAC. 2) Toledo did not seem to change style/philosophy, but did seem to bring in more physical/athletic players and by the end of the season were arguably playing better defense. This seems to be a trent they are continuing. 3) Ohio seems to be searching a bit. Boals is known for recruiting bigs, but hasn't really hit on any of note. Now going the international route. 4) BG, Ball State, EMU, UB all look to be searching for an identity, even as they improve their rosters, on paper. EMU, by keeping Habhab, should be pretty solid if the Eagles have a good PG.

I don't even think 8-10 games will be a good measuring stick. Buffalo was a different team in MAC play, even with Freitag, than what they looked like early. Ohio was a disaster early, then became MAC-average. Toledo was also under-whelming, but improved down the stretch. UMass didn't wake up until the MAC Tournament.

I agree Kent is TBD, but I would put Toledo up there w/Ohio-Akron-Miami. Toledo has picked up a nice veteran PG from Marquette, and have a pair of high-quality freshmen guards coming in. Don't sleep on UMass, either. If they pick up a couple shooters their stock will rise. Sadly, with graduations and the portal the 2026-27 season likely won't be as good as the last one. But somehow come March the MAC still puts 4 quality teams on the court for the MAC Tournament semis ... no matter what their records.

I wish I was you🤣

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No doubt, the MAC is still a guard league. But a MAC coach (I believe Charlie Coles) once said "The MAC is a guard league ... but good MAC guards win with good MAC post guys." Now, in his era, one good 6-7 post guy (Wally, Ira Newbill, Alex Shorts, Ohio w/Trent or Brandon Hunter) was all they needed. Now, even at the mid-major level, most good teams not only have guards, they have TWO post guys. That's why you see so many teams loading up with bigs, even at this level. As the season wears down, good bigs start to play up.

They have added 3 portal bigs so far (lost 2 grad bigs, 2 portal bigs) but none seem like a swap for Gillespie. Williams maybe swaps Whaley ... maybe. But one from EMU looks like just a rim protector and the other looks like a serious project. Both Kent starting guards portaled (both to losing programs) and SF (Safford) graduated, so they still got a ton of work left to do. In fact, all Kent's new signees are coming from losing programs so that lockerroom should be interesting.

I think Colin White could be a 3-4 in the MAC. He supposedly has a physical streak in him. This stings Toledo where the fan base wanted him back home. The key now is for White to measure up to his prep credentials as a MAC player.

May not be a Big Ten player ... but definitely has Big 10 size. He'll be a rotational banger at the very least 15-20 min a game. I'd take him!!!

How does this compare around the MAC? Most MAC teams have been decimated by the portal and graduations.

WKU is a program many around the MAC for years have coveted for expansion, specifically because of the quality of their basketball program, historically. Guessing their NIL is competitive with MAC teams, just a ??? of which positions they want/need to spend it.

Interesting pickup. He fits how they used to play, but not so much how they played last season. Not sure he would be a fit for the Zips, but he at least knows the league and for them fills a void.

Experienced guard who can score, rebound and assist; perfect transition guy for the freshmen guards behind him.

I would not expect any MAC-level commits for at leas a week to 10 days. The big $$$ dominoes have to fall first, then the solid/low tier P5 teams set the market, then mid-majors can scramble for the leftovers. IMO the key will be identifying those under-valued freshmen and sophomores who are - hopefully - better than their marginal stats. Signing a senior to be for being an elite starter is poison in my book, especially since they will demand top $$$. This is a dirty business at the moment. I would not like being a part of it.

I believe Marshall lost its PG ... Young could return home on a discount.