RoyalBlu

This is why I drive in the slow lane 🤣

I thought Coit was at KAnsas ...

Indeed, that OU site is on the edge of revolt. But as one post noted, that team was essentially a MAC team. They compared them to Toledo and that BC roster does indeed have a couple of former MAC/CMU starters. But still should not be a loss at home.

Supposedly ... pairings in February are based on highest NET rankings by teams in both leagues. Hopefully that is indeed the case, vs. trying to pair teams that haven't yet played each other. Let's face it. For this to truly work and benefit teams for March, the February pairings, at the least, should be NET pairings. If that means some challenge games are with teams that have already played each other, so be it. The top 4-5 teams in each league may rotate position but overall haven't really changed that much. If that means two straight road games vs. the same team, so be it. The object, in my opinion, is to pair teams with an eye toward March. Otherwise, what's the use.

What a loss (Troy) by Kent ... in a game they should have won in regulation!! Their Kenpom would have really jumped if that had been the case. That said ... Troy needing OT to beat the No. 4 MAC team even on the road says something about the MAC. If zips draw Troy in next SB Challenge game on the road, it should be a big Kenpom boost with a win!!!

Yes, ... absolutely a joke. But this time last season much the same was said about Akron ... and while pi$$ poor, Kent's schedule is still lightyears ahead of Miami. It's the cross good midmajor teams have to bear. MAC has benefitted from the Sun Belt Challenge. I would suggest adding another 'challenge' with C-USA or MVC. Good teams in all four conferences are struggling to get even quality mid-major games.

Just for background ... my understanding is Kent and CSU got screwed in this as both were 'told' they would be playing ACC teams, but the ACC teams said they would back out of the tournament unless they were in an all P5 bracket. Look at the records for some of those teams and you can see why they wanted no part of decent mid-majors on a neutral court. Note: CSU and Kent already had a game scheduled (this Sat) so neither were pleased but could not back out due to $$$ penalty.

Just for the old-timers, here is the latest RPI (yes it's still around). Notice more (6) MAC teams in the Top 140, but also 3 MAC teams 297 or lower. https://www.teamrankings.com/ncb/rpi/ 1. Akron 68 2. Bowling Green 90 3. Miami 100 4. Kent 107 5. Ohio 123 6. Buffalo 140 7. Toledo 173 8. CMU 222 9. UMass 232 10. NIU 276 ---------------------------- Other teams of note: Youngstown State 33 Navy 34 Oakland 52 Kansas 151 Milwaukee 170

I think the Bulls might be turning things around. Because of their recent past, they have a pretty good schedule with teams that thought they were garbage. DePaul learned the hard way ... Vermont and St. Bonaventure are still to come. But unlike the preseason MAC favorites (Miami, Akron, Kent, Ohio) who rivalry aside only play each other once, Buffalo has two games each with Miami, Akron, Ohio and UMass, so they could still be a .500 team ... but also a very tough team to deal with if they make the MAC Tournament. Frankly, I think that's good for the MAC.

As we can see with this, only five of the games hit that 'sweet spot' for games vs. Kenpom teams 50-150, and two of those, thank goodness, came via the Sun Belt Challenge. Considering how it is becoming harder and harder for top end MAC programs to get those 50-150 Kenpom games, Groce and the more veteran MAC Coaches should try to get one more conference (C-USA, Mo-Valley, CAA) challenge on the books. It would make scheduling a lot easier, w/the caveat those second round games are Kenpom-based, even if they are repeat matchups from the previous season. Just a suggestion.

Don't know how many have noticed but Buffalo looks like it is turning the corner back to respectable ... Eastern seems to have found a quality post guy that was riding the bench at CMU (albeit behind a really god player who transferred) and is it me, or has Kent State abandoned defense for a chuk-n-duk offense.

This is interesting... MAC team picked as potential 30-game winner this season!!!! https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/46775032/mens-ncaa-basketball-predicting-teams-win-30-games-2025-26

Proenza had a vision but absolutely no financial acumen to pull off any of his ideas that didn't go into the red.

I would say Groce and Ohio picked Miami.