MAC - SB Classic Year 3

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, csims0917 said:

We remember the last time we traveled to Marshall. These teams will still be a rough road trip.

 

Yes, I would imagine since they're hosting the next round they will be the favorites in most of these matchups. 

[Zips1991]

We're facing Troy on Feb. 7 in the 2nd round of the MAC-SBC. They're currently 10-5 (3-0) and are 125 in the NET. They beat Kent but lost to Toledo (in a holiday tournament).

https://gozips.com/news/2026/1/6/mens-basketball-second-round-of-the-mac-sbc-challenge-announced-zips-set-to-travel-to-troy

[kreed5120]

7 hours ago, Zips1991 said:

We're facing Troy on Feb. 7 in the 2nd round of the MAC-SBC. They're currently 10-5 (3-0) and are 125 in the NET. They beat Kent but lost to Toledo (in a holiday tournament).

https://gozips.com/news/2026/1/6/mens-basketball-second-round-of-the-mac-sbc-challenge-announced-zips-set-to-travel-to-troy

 

It's worth noting that 1 game will get flexed to a 6PM start time and air on ESPN2. The game in all likelihood will either be Miami @ Marshall or Akron @ Troy. If the decision was to be made today it would probably be Miami @ Marshall just because Miami is still undefeated. We'll see how the next few weeks play out.

[csims0917]

Bumping this thread. Round 1 the MAC went 9-4. The MAC needs 5 wins on Saturday to clinch the Belt and be crowned the superior conference. SB won year 1 and year 2 was a tie. Historically the home teams have done very well during round 2. The long road trip messes up these teams. Akron is 0-2 on the road during the MAC-SB (JMU and Arkansas St). Should be some very interesting matchups

 

MAC-SBC Challenge Men’s Basketball Matchups
Saturday, February 7
Eastern Michigan at App State
Bowling Green at Arkansas State
UMass at Coastal Carolina
Northern Illinois at Georgia State
Toledo at James Madison
Central Michigan at Louisiana
Ball State at ULM
Miami (Ohio) at Marshall
Ohio at Old Dominion
Buffalo at South Alabama
Kent State at Southern Miss
Western Michigan at Texas State
Akron at Troy

 

MAC-SBC Challenge Women’s Basketball Matchups
Saturday, February 7
App State at Kent State
Arkansas State at Eastern Michigan
Coastal Carolina at Bowling Green
Georgia Southern at Miami (Ohio)
Louisiana at Akron
ULM at Buffalo
Marshall at Central Michigan
Old Dominion at Ohio
South Alabama at Western Michigan
Southern Miss at Toledo
Texas State at Northern Illinois
Troy at Ball State
Sunday, February 8
James Madison at UMass
 

[csims0917]

Updated NETs going into Saturday now that the MAC and Sun Belt have finished their first games of the week. These games could be the difference between a Q4 result becoming a Q3 for a Q3 becoming a Q2 for Akron. Every win helps! For teams like Buffalo and BG it's a chance to try move up one more time and get into the NIT now that has it has basically become a mid-major tournament. 

 

Eastern Michigan (208) at App State (178)
Bowling Green (128) at Arkansas State (168)
UMass (186) at Coastal Carolina (227)
Northern Illinois (303) at Georgia State (269)
Toledo (163) at James Madison (231)
Central Michigan (300) at Louisiana (313)
Ball State (319) at ULM (356)
Miami (50) at Marshall (137)
Ohio (207) at Old Dominion (268)
Buffalo (167) at South Alabama (201)
Kent State (138) at Southern Miss (238)
Western Michigan (281) at Texas State (257)
Akron (54) at Troy (132)

 

Edited 3 hours ago by csims0917

[Zips1991]

5 minutes ago, csims0917 said:

Updated NETs going into Saturday now that the MAC and Sun Belt have finished their first games of the week. These games could be the difference between a Q4 result becoming a Q3 for a Q3 becoming a Q2 for Akron. Every win helps! For teams like Buffalo and BG it's a chance to try move up one more time and get into the NIT now that has it has basically become a mid-major tournament. 

 

Eastern Michigan (208) at App State (178)
Bowling Green (128) at Arkansas State (168)
UMass (186) at Coastal Carolina (227)
Northern Illinois (303) at Georgia State (269)
Toledo (163) at James Madison (231)
Central Michigan (300) at Louisiana (313)
Ball State (319) at ULM (356)
Miami (50) at Marshall (137)
Ohio (207) at Old Dominion (268)
Buffalo (167) at South Alabama (201)
Kent State (138) at Southern Miss (238)
Western Michigan (281) at Texas State (257)
Akron (54) at Troy (132)

 

I underestimated how much better the MAC is this year compared to the Sun Belt. Seven top 200 teams compared to 4.

[csims0917]

Despite the difference the road trip has been historically difficult for our teams so I hope we can over come