2026 MAC Tournament

[RoyalBlu]

As things stand right now ... I feel the three teams to watch are Bowling Green, Central Michigan and Kent with regards to the MAC Tournament.

 

BG's metrics are strong, even if their record is not. If they play to their metrics down the stretch, they could make a push toward the 3-seed. That makes Tuesday's BG-Kent game critical for them. Kent can probably lock up the 3-seed with a BG win as they hold tie-breakers over every other team behind them. At the same time, while they have a strong record, their metrics aren't really that strong. If they struggle down the stretch, they could fall a few spots.

 

Central Michigan is on the outside looking in, but they have been playing well and are just one game out of the 8th spot with games vs. several teams that could be critical, including one vs. Buffalo, and one against Kent - a team they already beat. Keep an eye on CMU the next few weeks. 

 

[NWAkron]

CMU is clearly a well-coached and potentially dangerous team. 

Kent, FWIW, came from the 8th seed to within a  fingertip of the championship in 2024.  They are always a threat.

BG...I'm not so convinced that they are "legit."

[kreed5120]

3 hours ago, NWAkron said:

CMU is clearly a well-coached and potentially dangerous team. 

Kent, FWIW, came from the 8th seed to within a  fingertip of the championship in 2024.  They are always a threat.

BG...I'm not so convinced that they are "legit."

 

Kent is usually a built for MAC tournament team. Physicality of the game picks up and refs seem to allow teams to play more. That's why I think a team like UMass could overachieve come MAC tournament time.

Edited Monday at 12:22 AM by kreed5120

[Zippy87]

5 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

Kent is usually built for MAC tournament team. Physicality of the game picks up and refs seem to allow teams to play more. That's why I think a team like UMass could overachieve come MAC tournament time.

 

UMass is the team I don't want to see in Cleveland. I really want Miami to draw them. 

[Zippy87]

Updated the OP. Akron needs 1 win to clinch a top 3 seed. 

[NWAkron]

at this rate, UMass is a 7th seed and Kent is a 3.  do your bracket.

[Let'sGoZips94]

Akron vs Ohio, Kent vs UMass on the same side is diabolical. If Miami avoids all those teams until the final, it will be confirmed they sold their soul for this run of luck. 

[Zippy87]

11 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Akron vs Ohio, Kent vs UMass on the same side is diabolical. If Miami avoids all those teams until the final, it will be confirmed they sold their soul for this run of luck. 

 

Buffalo did give Miami two close games, and should have won at least one of them. But otherwise, yeah, this could set up unbelievably well for them. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

33 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

Buffalo did give Miami two close games, and should have won at least one of them. But otherwise, yeah, this could set up unbelievably well for them. 

 

Buffalo just lost at home to NIU. They are no longer in my "I fear them" category.

[Zippy87]

Just now, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Buffalo just lost at home to NIU. They are no longer in my "I fear them" category.

 

Not saying Buffalo is anything special, but they've been without their top scorer, Daniel Freitag, their last three games. He's avering 20/4/4 on the season, so it's a pretty significant piece missing from their lineup. 

[Blue & Gold]

Facing UMass in the 1st round would make for a grueling 3 days.

[Illini Zip]

19 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said:

Facing UMass in the 1st round would make for a grueling 3 days.

I sure wish we were deeper. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

8 hours ago, Zippy87 said:

 

Not saying Buffalo is anything special, but they've been without their top scorer, Daniel Freitag, their last three games. He's avering 20/4/4 on the season, so it's a pretty significant piece missing from their lineup. 

 

Thank you for this context. Was unaware of Freitag's absence.  

[Let'sGoZips94]

Forget everything bad I've said about Lunardi. This guy knows ball. 

[MDZip]

6 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Forget everything bad I've said about Lunardi. This guy knows ball. 

For those that might trouble seeing it, Akron is listed as a 11 seed in the lower right quadrant. Miami is also an 11 seed but listed as an at-large. I am good with this scenario. 😁

[kreed5120]

32 minutes ago, MDZip said:

For those that might trouble seeing it, Akron is listed as a 11 seed in the lower right quadrant. Miami is also an 11 seed but listed as an at-large. I am good with this scenario. 😁

 

If Miami makes the tournament as last 4 in that would be a heck of a consolation prize for them. Getting to play a winnable tournament game just ~1 hour away from campus in what would have a home game atmosphere.

[Let'sGoZips94]

17 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

If Miami makes the tournament as last 4 in that would be a heck of a consolation prize for them. Getting to play a winnable tournament game just ~1 hour away from campus in what would have a home game atmosphere.

 

Quite frankly, for all the SOS talk with them, this is the best case scenario in terms of at-large and exactly what the "Last 4" games should be. Give teams a chance to prove themselves vs throwing in $$$ P4s. 

[csims0917]

I think this Miami team can beat a mediocre P4 school if they get a chance in Dayton. Would be an extremely fun watch