Big Changes in the MAC East

[Quickzips]

The MAC East is in store for some big changes this offseason.

Miami: Already losing their best player in Kenny Hayes and their top big man and MAC lumberjack of the year Adam Fletcher. Reports are that Junior Guard Rodney Haddix and Sophmore Guard Kramer Soderberg are also leaving the program.

Can't: Losing six rotation players including Chris Singletary, Tyree Evans, Anthony Simpson, Frank Henry-Ala, Mike McKee and Brandon Parks. A lot to replace there.

BG: Graduates almost all of their servicable bigs including Otis Polk, Erik Marschall and Marc Larson.

Buffalo: In full on rebuilding mode with the loss of Rodney Pierce, Calvin Betts, Max Boudreau, Sean Smiley, John Boyer and Byron Mulkey.

Ohio: Looked to be returning the most with only Van Kempen leaving, but now the equation has changed as do-it-all SG Armon Bassett has decided to go pro.

Zips: Also looked to be returning most of the roster while only losing Chris McKnight and Conyers. Now it appears we will see anywhere from 1-4 additional transfers in a "Cavs retool their roster after being embarassed by Orlando" kind of moment.

That is a lot of talent out of the MAC East heading out the door. Conyers, Singletary, Pierce and Hayes were All-MAC first team. McKnight, Betts and Bassett all made honorable mention. Not to mention a lot of good role players in there like Van Kempen, McKee, Evans, Boudreau, Polk, Smiley. Does this open the door for the MAC West to try and chip away at a little bit of the East dominance next year?

[mes102]

It really depends. I think it could happen, but before seeing what the MAC West is losing(first name that comes to my head is Kool), I think that could be a real possiblility.

I know Eastern Michigan is losing Carlos Medlock(thank goodness)...I'm not sure if Higgins graduates or not, but I know Bowdry will still be there another year.

Western Michigan will miss the MAC player of the year but has a few nice pieces that could make some noise if they make huge strides.

Ball State i think will lose Davis but still have Jarod Jones and their other big guy im not sure if he's a junior or a senior.

If Toledo's guys and coach would of been together..they might of came out of the cellar...but that program is so dysfunctional right now, Toledo needs a "Jody Kest" type of a coach to get back into contention or even rebuilding for that matter.

I don't know much about either Northern Illinois or Central Michigan but I believed i read somewhere that they are young. If that's the case, then they could contend if their players develop wel over the offseason.

Overall, I think that the MAC East will still have the #1 seed come tourney time, but it wouldn't suprise me if we see more MAC West teams with first round byes or home games come tourney time.

[skip-zip]

I think a lot of people will view Akron as losing alot too. Especially the way Jimmy and C Mc were carrying so much of the load for us in the tournament. We definitely need to see more improvement out of some of those other guys that have been around here for a few years.

[MDZip]

The last time the East did not have four of the top five seeds was in 2005 (and even then the East had three of the top five). I just don't see the East dominance ending any time soon (just like I don't see the West dominance in football ending any time soon).

[Quickzips]

I have no doubt that the East will be the better division still, but I think the opportunity does exist for the West to close a little ground. Ofcourse a lot of things depend on the quality of recruits coming into the East this year and how fast they adapt. But just looking at a statistical perspective, everyone in the East is going to have a lot to replace.

Miami: 29 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 5.5 APG

Can't: 42.9 PPG, 21.1 RPG, 7.1 APG

BG: 23.7 PPG, 16.3 RPG, 2.7 APG

Buffalo: 53.3 PPG, 20.5 RPG, 11.9 APG

OU: 23.9 PPG, 10 RPG, 3.9 APG

Zips: 19.9 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2.8 APG that we know of thus far.

Those are some significant numbers to replace. Particularly for Can't and Buffalo accross the board, Bowling Green in terms of rebounding and Miami in terms of assists.