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2024 MAC Tournament


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Who is the team you'd least like to face?

 

I'd prefer to avoid Kent on Thursday. I think we'd win, but rivalry games are always tough, physical games and I'd rather us have an easier road to the semi-finals. 

 

Beyond that, we probably want Toledo on the other side of the bracket (although they never finish the job in Cleveland). My sleeper team is BG - they've been very inconsistent but I like their guard play and although I can't see them winning 3 straight, I do think they could pull off an upset somewhere in the tournament.

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1. Akron (12 - 3)
2. Toledo (11 - 4)
3. Ohio (10 - 5) Above Central MI based on head-to-head record (1-0).
4. Central MI (10 - 5) Below Ohio based on head-to-head record (0-1).
5. Miami (8 - 7) Above BGSU based on winning percentage against #1 teams [Akron] (1-0).
6. BGSU (8 - 7) Below Miami based on winning percentage against #1 teams [Akron] (0-1).
7. Kent State (7 - 8 ) Above Western MI based on head-to-head record (1-0).
8. Western MI (7-8 ) Below Kent State based on head-to-head record (0-1).
9. Ball State (6 - 9)
10. Eastern MI (5 - 10)
11. Northern IL (4 - 11)
12. Buffalo (2 - 13)

Edited by Zippy87
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13 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

1. Akron (12 - 3)
2. Toledo (11 - 4)
3. Ohio (10 - 5) Above Central MI based on head-to-head record (1-0).
4. Central MI (10 - 5) Below Ohio based on head-to-head record (0-1).
5. Miami (8 - 7) Above BGSU based on winning percentage against #1 teams [Akron] (1-0).
6. BGSU (8 - 7) Below Miami based on winning percentage against #1 teams [Akron] (0-1).
7. Kent State (7 - 8 ) Above Western MI based on head-to-head record (1-0).
8. Western MI (7-8 ) Below Kent State based on head-to-head record (0-1).
9. Ball State (6 - 9)
10. Eastern MI (5 - 10)
11. Northern IL (4 - 11)
12. Buffalo (2 - 13)

At the moment we no longer have the tiebreaker over Toledo as they beat Ohio twice.  Need to win and and not worry about it.

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14 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

1. Akron (12 - 3)
2. Toledo (11 - 4)
3. Ohio (10 - 5) Above Central MI based on head-to-head record (1-0).
4. Central MI (10 - 5) Below Ohio based on head-to-head record (0-1).
5. Miami (8 - 7) Above BGSU based on winning percentage against #1 teams [Akron] (1-0).
6. BGSU (8 - 7) Below Miami based on winning percentage against #1 teams [Akron] (0-1).
7. Kent State (7 - 8 ) Above Western MI based on head-to-head record (1-0).
8. Western MI (7-8 ) Below Kent State based on head-to-head record (0-1).
9. Ball State (6 - 9)
10. Eastern MI (5 - 10)
11. Northern IL (4 - 11)
12. Buffalo (2 - 13)

This is my ideal bracket at the moment for us. Just win the rest now

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What is the parking situation at RM Fieldhouse for the MAC tourney? Does their parking garage fill up, how much does it cost, and are there other perhaps cheaper options reasonably close by? Or would using the RTA buses be a wiser option?

 

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13 minutes ago, ZippyRulz said:

What is the parking situation at RM Fieldhouse for the MAC tourney? Does their parking garage fill up, how much does it cost, and are there other perhaps cheaper options reasonably close by? Or would using the RTA buses be a wiser option?

 


$20 per session in the deck I believe. I’ve never had trouble getting a spot. I’m sure there are cheaper options around, but probably none more convenient. If you can get free parking at the casino you could try that. 

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You can buy $10 parking passes on SeatGeek, which of course cost $16+ with fees. Seems to me a few years ago cost went from $10 to $20 even early in the week, so I'm not sure what they are now at the gate. 

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Posted (edited)

1. Toledo (13 - 4) 
2. Akron (13 - 4) 
3. Ohio (12 - 5)
4. Central MI (11 - 6)
5. BGSU (9 - 8.)
6. Miami (9 - 8.)
7. Kent State (8 - 9) 
8. Western MI (8 - 9) 


9. Ball State (7 - 10)

Edited by Zippy87
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Posted (edited)

Games that won't impact seeding:

 

Northern Illinois at Buffalo

Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan

 

The #1 Seed

 

This one is simple. To get the tip seed, Akron needs a win over Western Michigan and Toledo losing to Kent State. They would play #8 Western Michigan.

 

The #2 Seed

 

We can't fall lower than #2. Possible opponents are Kent, Miami, and Bowling Green.

 

Edited by Zippy87
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Nothing I've seen makes me believe this team will make it past Thursday.  A couple players need to get hot from 3 otherwise, as we all know, Freeman's teammates are essentially feeding him to the wolves.  That has to be draining on him physically and mentally.  As a fan, the later game is easier for me.  If they win next week, all is forgiven but you have to wonder why this team can't coalesce.  The answer is not having LCJ or Castaneda.  As we've seen since Groce arrived at Akron, he can scrounge together a team to keep the Zips competitive.  However, Hankerson, Thornton, and Scott couldn't and can't get it done.

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Ever since the flight to JMU, it’s looked like hammering a square peg into a round hole. Ali and Freeman can typically get their looks on command and cash in enough to get the job done. Sans Ali’s 3pt shot which has mysteriously vanished. Even with a better roster than pretty much everyone in the league, the Zips play to their opponent’s level. It’s hard to explain. They just mentally don’t seem as locked in as they were earlier in the year. Everything has gone backwards. 

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Doesn't matter the seed, Akron won't be able to string together enough wins back-to-back to make it to the dance. Not much hope for a team that can't score and gets out rebounded right and left.

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I still think Akron can win the tournament, mainly because every single team has major flaws this year in a down league year.

 

Akron is tied for 4th best offense in league play, with the #1 defense and best point differential margin.

 

Who actually has a shot to win?

 

Miami, Kent, Western Michigan, and Ball State are an easy "no". 

 

After starting 5-1 in conference play, BG has gone 4-7. I think they can pull an upset, but don't see them winning three straight.

 

Central Michigan is solid but have lost 3 of their last 4.

 

For me it comes down to 3 teams: Akron, Toledo (who I never bet on in Cleveland), and Ohio. 

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I didn't realize this, but according to the scenario generator Kent hasn't clinched a spot in Cleveland. 

 

Kent would need to lose to Toledo, CMU would need to beat EMU, and the following would also need to happen:

 

WMU over UA

BSU over BGSU

MIA over OU

 

Unlikely, but it'd be wild to see them not even make it there.

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37 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

I didn't realize this, but according to the scenario generator Kent hasn't clinched a spot in Cleveland. 

 

Kent would need to lose to Toledo, CMU would need to beat EMU, and the following would also need to happen:

 

WMU over UA

BSU over BGSU

MIA over OU

 

Unlikely, but it'd be wild to see them not even make it there.

 

Kent has clinched a spot (Confirmed on the MAC Twitter.)  The scenario generator is treating Ohio and Central as being the same seed because they would be tied.

 

In this scenario, Kent and Ball State split. Going to top down, neither beat #1 Toledo, #2 Akron or #3 Ohio. Both then split with #4 Central Michigan.  Neither beat #5 Miami. Kent would be 1-0 vs BG, Ball State 1-1 vs BG, so Kent would win the tiebreaker.

Edited by Eagle66
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25 minutes ago, Eagle66 said:

 

Kent has clinched a spot (Confirmed on the MAC Twitter.)  The scenario generator is treating Ohio and Central as being the same seed because they would be tied.

 

In this scenario, Kent and Ball State split. Going to top down, neither beat #1 Toledo, #2 Akron or #3 Ohio. Both then split with #4 Central Michigan.  Neither beat #5 Miami. Kent would be 1-0 vs BG, Ball State 1-1 vs BG, so Kent would win the tiebreaker.

 

Makes sense. The generator said listed Ball State above Kent State based on winning percentage against #3 teams (Central Michigan and Ohio), who would both be 12-6 in this scenario. The MAC probably doesn't use that because Kent played the CMU/OU combo 4x while Ball State only did 3x.

 

Thanks!

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On 3/5/2024 at 12:09 AM, ewbrooman1 said:

You can buy $10 parking passes on SeatGeek, which of course cost $16+ with fees. Seems to me a few years ago cost went from $10 to $20 even early in the week, so I'm not sure what they are now at the gate. 

I called the Gateway Parking Deck today and the women who answered said cost would be $10 on Thursday. I repeated it back to her to confirm it a bit. Looks like I'll buy it at the deck instead of SeatGeek.

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I still very much believe this team can win 3 games next week and cut down the nets. Here's why:

 

1) Experience- No team in the conference has more MAC Tournament experience on the roster. Cleveland is different (ask Toledo) and our most of our key players have been there before. I also don't think it will hurt us or OU that we both played at RMF this season.

 

2) Defense travels - We've seem some lapses, but we still have the top rated defense in the conference and that's huge in Cleveland.

 

3) We have the best player - Enrique will be POY and deservedly so. He has showed up big the last two years in Cleveland and I expect the same this year.

 

4) We have the best coach - Would you trade Groce for any other MAC coach? I wouldn't. Groce knows how to win in Cleveland and that experience will be huge going into next week.

 

5) I believe in our guys - I think Freeman, Ali, and Tribble in particular will show up in a big way. They don't want their legacy to end with a home loss to EMU followed by an early exit in Cleveland. They all didn't come back for it to end that way.  I believe in our guys. 

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Agree with whoever said it's basically Akron, Toledo, and Ohio as the possible winners.  We also agree that Zips can't win if they play like they have since JMU game.  Groce can't make the 3 point heaves go in the hole.  Making 3s relieves the stress.  I expect nothing.

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1 hour ago, NWAkron said:

Agree with whoever said it's basically Akron, Toledo, and Ohio as the possible winners.  We also agree that Zips can't win if they play like they have since JMU game.  Groce can't make the 3 point heaves go in the hole.  Making 3s relieves the stress.  I expect nothing.

 On the post game, Groce indicated that we lost the game because we lost the turnover battle and the battle on the offensive boards.  But I thought Joe Dunn had a better incite in that we just don't have players who can shoot.  It seems like every game I look at the stats after the first 10 minutes and we are 0 for 10 on the 3 ball.  The guys in the starting lineup and the first subs cannot make a 3.  I am firmly convinced that Tavari should be inserted into the starting lineup if no other reason than he is the best of the rest.

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53 minutes ago, 1981 grad said:

 On the post game, Groce indicated that we lost the game because we lost the turnover battle and the battle on the offensive boards.  But I thought Joe Dunn had a better incite in that we just don't have players who can shoot.  It seems like every game I look at the stats after the first 10 minutes and we are 0 for 10 on the 3 ball.  The guys in the starting lineup and the first subs cannot make a 3.  I am firmly convinced that Tavari should be inserted into the starting lineup if no other reason than he is the best of the rest.

Pretty much.  I'm sure these guys could shoot at some point.  But they feed off each other's misses and makes.

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