MAC Tournament 2012

[Lee Adams]

I would like to see both Can't and Buffalo LOSE their opening games, giving us an opponent we beat at least once, if not twice in the finals.

Can the Zips beat Can't 3 x's in one season and twice in about a weeks time? Thats tough for anybody.

[bigzipguy]

If BG beats Buffalo , they get the #5 seed, putting them on the same side of the bracket as us. If they would win a home game Monday, they would play, I believe Can't on Thursday. They could get rid of Can't.

[MDZip]

If BG beats Buffalo , they get the #5 seed, putting them on the same side of the bracket as us. If they would win a home game Monday, they would play, I believe Can't on Thursday. They could get rid of Can't.

BGSU up 9 with 9:00 to play, I want whoever has the best chance to knock out both Buffalo and OU. I think that might be BGSU. I'm not as worried about Can't, I think the Zips are in their heads. I think not only is Zeke in Justin Greene's head, he's walking around, opening doors and maybe thinking of taking up residence.

[UAZip0510]

Some Tourney Tidbits

- Akron has not lost to a team on their side of the bracket this year, going a combined 6-0.

- Upset Specials? Bowling Green and Toledo defeated Ohio this season, and Miami played them close both times. Buffalo split with Miami and narrowly defeated Bowling Green twice. Central Michigan played them close. Can't State needed overtime to defeat Western Michigan narrowly defeated Eastern Michigan.

- Top Seeds: Akron is 2-0 against Can't State, while Ohio is 2-0 against Buffalo

[MDZip]

Now that the dust has settled, I think Akron couldn't have gotten a much better draw. While I am disappointed there is no chance now of an all East final six (since Miami and BGSU ended up on the same side of the bracket), the most dangerous teams are on the 2-3 side of the bracket. I think Toldeo and BGSU both are upset capable and could knock off OU at the Q. No one on 1-4 side scares me (doesn't mean there won't be an upset, just I am far less nervous about WMU,EMU, NIU, Ball State and Can't than the goup on the other side). Just make it hard for whoever survives that side. I've seen some comments on both the OU and Buffalo message boards that we drew Can't. I'd much rather have them than either OU or Buffalo. I think that's going to be a slugfest.

[Dr Z]

Now that the dust has settled, I think Akron couldn't have gotten a much better draw.

We are the number 1 seed and we only have to win TWO games...no excuses!

No ref is going to screw the Zips, no draw is going to screw the Zips, good coaching and

good defense are going to win the tournament this year for the Zips.

[skip-zip]

We are the number 1 seed and we only have to win TWO games...no excuses!

No ref is going to screw the Zips, no draw is going to screw the Zips, good coaching and

good defense are going to win the tournament this year for the Zips.

I don't know how you know this, but if it's true, that's a very comforting thought

[Quickzips]

My predictions for the tournament:

Round 1: Monday evening (campus sites)

NIU @ Eastern Michigan: I think NIU has the right coach in place long term, but there is absolutely no talent on that team. EMU moves on.

Ball State @ Western Michigan: In the battle of the underachievers I will take Ball State. Injuries and internal turmoil have taken too much a toll on the Broncos. Plus the Cardinals will have the best player on the floor in Jones.

Miami @ Toledo: Sad to see Charlie Coles go out this way, but I have to take Toledo. I said it a few weeks ago, but if you are looking for a surprise team in this tournament keep an eye on the Rockets. Their coach has them on the right track, and Pearson can carry this team a lot farther than they otherwise might have gone.

CMU @ Bowling Green: Chippewas packed it in some time around mid-January. Falcons are another dangerous team to watch this week. BG in a rout.

Round 2: Wednesday (Quicken Loans Arena)

Ball State vs. Eastern Michigan: I have to take Eastern again here. While Jones will be the best player on the floor, I think the Eastern zone will limit him to some degree. Eastern is the deeper team and will move on.

Toledo vs. Bowling Green: I'm sure the MAC would like to have this matchup on Friday or Saturday evening, but alas these two teams will have to settle for Wednesday night. Pearson will keep the Rockets in the game, but in the end I think BG's size inside and depth will take the matchup. Falcons move on.

Round 3: Thursday (Quicken Loans Arena)

Eastern Michigan vs. Can't State: As much as I want to root for EMU in this one, I can't see them pulling the upset. Can't simply doesn't lose to MAC West teams. Thursday will be no different.

Bowling Green vs. Ohio: I'm calling this one the first big upset. Ohio struggles on the road against teams that play zone defense. Energized by knocking their cross-town rivals out of the tournament the night before, Louis Orr's bunch comes out and stiffles the Bobcats.

Round 4: Friday (Quicken Loans Arena)

Can't State vs. Akron: Zips have beaten the Flashes twice already this year. This one is no different. Can't goes the way Justin Greene goes, and even a healthy Justin Greene has troubles matching up with Zeke Marshall. With Greene on a bum ankle, the Flashes have little hope of making it out of the semi's.

Bowling Green vs. Buffalo: Bulls couldn't have asked for a worse semi-finals matchup. Though they have beaten the Falcons twice, those wins came by 2 and 4 points respectively. Bowling Green has the size inside to match up with Buffalo, and their zone defense could cause problems for the Buffalo bigs. Still, I think Buffalo has too much firepower to lose to a Bowling Green squad playing their 4th game in 5 nights. Buffalo in a close one.

Finals: Saturday (Quicken Loans Arena)

Buffalo vs. Akron: As it should be, the 1 & 2 seeds and the two best teams in the conference all seasons match up for the right to go to the NCAA's. The Zips have to hate this draw, as Buffalo is the only team they have not beaten in conference all year. Experience will be the deciding factor in this one. Akron has proven that they can win in March at the Q when everything is on the line. Reggie Witherspoon's group has proven time and time again that they cannot. Zips will take this one in a close, exciting game that will show up quite well on ESPN2.

[GoZips88]

Just finished watching last year's MAC Championship Game and had forgotten how poorly we started (down 14-3 after 8 minutes) and how exciting the last minutes of regulation and the overtime were. Officially pumped for a full week of MAC Tourney basketball ...

MAC-Sports.com for live streams of the games tomorrow night.

STO carrying the load on TV Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

ESPN2 Saturday night nationally for the Championship Game!

All seven seats accounted for in our van that will be headed north Friday evening. Go Zips!!!

[skip-zip]

Finals: Saturday (Quicken Loans Arena)

Buffalo vs. Akron: As it should be, the 1 & 2 seeds and the two best teams in the conference all seasons match up for the right to go to the NCAA's. The Zips have to hate this draw, as Buffalo is the only team they have not beaten in conference all year. Experience will be the deciding factor in this one. Akron has proven that they can win in March at the Q when everything is on the line. Reggie Witherspoon's group has proven time and time again that they cannot. Zips will take this one in a close, exciting game that will show up quite well on ESPN2.

I wish these two lines were true, but Buffalo is a much more experienced team, and we're only 2-3 in title games in Cleveland.

[skip-zip]

Just finished watching last year's MAC Championship Game and had forgotten how poorly we started (down 14-3 after 8 minutes) and how exciting the last minutes of regulation and the overtime were. Officially pumped for a full week of MAC Tourney basketball ...

MAC-Sports.com for live streams of the games tomorrow night.

STO carrying the load on TV Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

ESPN2 Saturday night nationally for the Championship Game!

All seven seats accounted for in our van that will be headed north Friday evening. Go Zips!!!

I don't know if anyone realizes this today, but those two straight McNees 3-pointers that followed that big start by Ken+ were undoubtedly the two biggest buckets of the game. Without that, we were possibly well on our way to repeating the blowout loss in 2008.

[GP1]

I'm really looking forward to wathing the Zips again this coming Saturday.

Winning the MAC is pretty easy.

1. Minimize mistakes. We can't start out against a team like OU or Buffalo like we did Friday and expect to win. Can't should have had an insurmountable lead against the Zips Friday and weren't good enough to take advantage of it. They aren't good.....OU and Buffalo are good.

2. Get an early lead any way you can get it. Get the little orange ball through the little orange ring.

3. Wait for the other team to poop their pants. This is the secret ingredient in winning the MAC. Teams are dying to blow games so just play well and wait for the inevitable.

[Hilltopper]

I wish these two lines were true, but Buffalo is a much more experienced team, and we're only 2-3 in title games in Cleveland.

So what is Buffalo's record in MAC title games?

[akronzips71]

It is easy to win. All you need to do is score more points.

[gozips19]

I'm really looking forward to wathing the Zips again this coming Saturday.

Winning the MAC is pretty easy.

1. Minimize mistakes. We can't start out against a team like OU or Buffalo like we did Friday and expect to win. Can't should have had an insurmountable lead against the Zips Friday and weren't good enough to take advantage of it. They aren't good.....OU and Buffalo are good.

2. Get an early lead any way you can get it. Get the little orange ball through the little orange ring.

3. Wait for the other team to poop their pants. This is the secret ingredient in winning the MAC. Teams are dying to blow games so just play well and wait for the inevitable.

Just to stress point 2. Akron needs to do a better job shooting from the outside. They have been poor the past two weeks shooting from 15ft out. Every team is just packing in and daring them to shoot. Akron's D and transition offense is what got them the win at Can't. Hit a few jumpers early and don't commit silly turnovers there's not a team in the MAC that can beat us.

[lumberjack]

I don't know how you know this, but if it's true, that's a very comforting thought

I totally agree with DR Z on this. Good defense and good coaching.

[GP1]

Akron needs to do a better job shooting from the outside.

If we can hit some outside shots early, we'll destroy the rest of the league.

EDIT: Sorry about that. The "o" is dangerously close to the "i".

[Dave in Green]

It is easy to win. All you need to do is score more points than you allow.

Fixed it for you.

[skip-zip]

If we can hit some outside shits early, we'll destroy the rest of the league.

I hope we hit SHOTS from outside, and not what you suggest

[zippy5]

If we can hit some outside shits early, we'll destroy the rest of the league.

Awaiting zipmeisters response..

[Captain Kangaroo]

We are the number 1 seed and we only have to win TWO games...no excuses!

No ref is going to screw the Zips, no draw is going to screw the Zips, good coaching and

good defense are going to win the tournament this year for the Zips.

The Zips are a great fast break team, and a bad half-court offensive team.

When we play hard-nose D we get stops, and fast break opportunities. When we play lazy D, the opponent makes shots, and has time to get back. It makes all the difference in the world when we're in the opponent's grill on the perimeter, and Zeke is being disruptive in the paint.

D is the key.

[MontrealExposloveZippy]

Going to visit a friend in Buffalo on Saturday-- I'm hoping for a Akron-Buffalo matchup in the championship with an Akron win. We will then plunder downtown Buffalo devouring Suicide wings and pitchers of Labatt. The drive back to Akron the next morning may not be the best, but an Akron win will SURELY help any fuzzy heads.

[Zipmeister]

My predictions for the tournament:

Round 1: Monday evening (campus sites)

NIU @ Eastern Michigan: I think NIU has the right coach in place long term, but there is absolutely no talent on that team. EMU moves on.

Ball State @ Western Michigan: In the battle of the underachievers I will take Ball State. Injuries and internal turmoil have taken too much a toll on the Broncos. Plus the Cardinals will have the best player on the floor in Jones.

Miami @ Toledo: Sad to see Charlie Coles go out this way, but I have to take Toledo. I said it a few weeks ago, but if you are looking for a surprise team in this tournament keep an eye on the Rockets. Their coach has them on the right track, and Pearson can carry this team a lot farther than they otherwise might have gone.

CMU @ Bowling Green: Chippewas packed it in some time around mid-January. Falcons are another dangerous team to watch this week. BG in a rout.

Round 2: Wednesday (Quicken Loans Arena)

Ball State vs. Eastern Michigan: I have to take Eastern again here. While Jones will be the best player on the floor, I think the Eastern zone will limit him to some degree. Eastern is the deeper team and will move on.

Toledo vs. Bowling Green: I'm sure the MAC would like to have this matchup on Friday or Saturday evening, but alas these two teams will have to settle for Wednesday night. Pearson will keep the Rockets in the game, but in the end I think BG's size inside and depth will take the matchup. Falcons move on.

Round 3: Thursday (Quicken Loans Arena)

Eastern Michigan vs. Can't State: As much as I want to root for EMU in this one, I can't see them pulling the upset. Can't simply doesn't lose to MAC West teams. Thursday will be no different.

Bowling Green vs. Ohio: I'm calling this one the first big upset. Ohio struggles on the road against teams that play zone defense. Energized by knocking their cross-town rivals out of the tournament the night before, Louis Orr's bunch comes out and stiffles the Bobcats.

Round 4: Friday (Quicken Loans Arena)

Can't State vs. Akron: Zips have beaten the Flashes twice already this year. This one is no different. Can't goes the way Justin Greene goes, and even a healthy Justin Greene has troubles matching up with Zeke Marshall. With Greene on a bum ankle, the Flashes have little hope of making it out of the semi's.

Bowling Green vs. Buffalo: Bulls couldn't have asked for a worse semi-finals matchup. Though they have beaten the Falcons twice, those wins came by 2 and 4 points respectively. Bowling Green has the size inside to match up with Buffalo, and their zone defense could cause problems for the Buffalo bigs. Still, I think Buffalo has too much firepower to lose to a Bowling Green squad playing their 4th game in 5 nights. Buffalo in a close one.

Finals: Saturday (Quicken Loans Arena)

Buffalo vs. Akron: As it should be, the 1 & 2 seeds and the two best teams in the conference all seasons match up for the right to go to the NCAA's. The Zips have to hate this draw, as Buffalo is the only team they have not beaten in conference all year. Experience will be the deciding factor in this one. Akron has proven that they can win in March at the Q when everything is on the line. Reggie Witherspoon's group has proven time and time again that they cannot. Zips will take this one in a close, exciting game that will show up quite well on ESPN2.

I'm glad I didn't factor these predictions into betting the spreads on the first four games.

[akronzips71]

So far, ALL the lower seeded teams LOST to all the higher seeded teams.

I hope this is not a trend because we are the LOWEST seeded team!

[johnnyzip84]

So far, ALL the lower seeded teams LOST to all the higher seeded teams.

I hope this is not a trend because we are the LOWEST seeded team!

Not exactly. Western (#8) beat Ball St (#9) and Toledo (#7) beat Miami (#10). So only 50% of the lower seeded teams lost yesterday.