2026 MAC Tournament

[Zips1991]

I've been messing around with the potential seeding and tiebreakers. I think the only way UMass can get eliminated tonight is if they lose to Ohio, Buffalo beats EMU, and we lose to CMU. I say let's get the first two done tonight, and let CMU win in their last game to finish the job. 😅

[gozips19]

Espn predicts conference tournament winners

 

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48078506/men-conference-tournaments-predictability-trends-top-low-seeds-2026

[Let'sGoZips94]

2 hours ago, Zips1991 said:

I've been messing around with the potential seeding and tiebreakers. I think the only way UMass can get eliminated tonight is if they lose to Ohio, Buffalo beats EMU, and we lose to CMU. I say let's get the first two done tonight, and let CMU win in their last game to finish the job. 😅

 

I want UMass in over Buffalo as the 8 seed unless Buffalo can guarantee that Freitag will be back for the tourney. Buffalo is atrocious without him.

[Let'sGoZips94]

UMass is going to beat OU, meaning I believe it's down to Buffalo and UMass for the 7/8 seeds.

 

1 through 4 is set.

1. Miami OH

2. Akron

3. Kent

4. Toledo

 

Here are the main scenarios for 5 through 8

 

CMU will be the 8 seed if they beat Balls and Buffalo loses to Toledo. That is their only path to Cleveland.

 

Akron only plays UMass if Balls and Buffalo lose. Otherwise, we get either BG or Buffalo. 

 

BG is either the 5, 6, or the 7 seed depending on their result and a combination of others.

 

I'm sure I'm leaving out some scenarios, but it's utter chaos to figure out haha. 

 

Long story short...

 

Akron's possible opponents: UMass, Buffalo, BG

Miami's possible opponents: UMass, Buffalo, CMU

Edited 20 hours ago by Let'sGoZips94

[Zips1991]

1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

UMass is going to beat OU, meaning I believe it's down to Buffalo and UMass for the 7/8 seeds.

 

1 through 4 is set.

1. Miami OH

2. Akron

3. Kent

4. Toledo

 

Here are the main scenarios for 5 through 8

 

CMU will be the 8 seed if they beat Balls and Buffalo loses to Toledo. That is their only path to Cleveland.

 

Akron only plays UMass if Balls and Buffalo lose. Otherwise, we get either BG or Buffalo. 

 

BG is either the 5, 6, or the 7 seed depending on their result and a combination of others.

 

I'm sure I'm leaving out some scenarios, but it's utter chaos to figure out haha. 

 

Long story short...

 

Akron's possible opponents: UMass, Buffalo, BG

Miami's possible opponents: UMass, Buffalo, CMU

For some reason, I didn't realize that we could still play BG. I think we'd be fine but I'd still rather play Buffalo than BG. My order of preference is: 

 

Buffalo

BG

UMass

[Zippy87]

Only games that matter to determine our 1st Round opponent are:

 

CMU at Ball State
BGSU at EMU
Buffalo at Toledo

 

Scenario 1: Ball State, EMU, UT all win

Result: #7 Buffalo, #8 UMass

 

Scenario 2: Ball State, EMU, UB all win

Result: #7 BGSU, #8 UMass

 

Scenario 3: Ball State, BGSU, UT all win

Result: #7 Buffalo, #8 UMass

 

Scenario 4: Ball State, BGSU, UB all win

Result: #7 Buffalo, #8 UMass

 

Scenario 5: CMU, EMU, UT all win

Result: #7 UMass, #8 CMU

 

Scenario 6: CMU, EMU, UB

Result: #7 BGSU, #8 UMass

 

Scenario 7: CMU, BGSU, UT all win

Result: #7 UMass, #8 CMU

 

Scenario 8: CMU, BGSU, UB all win

Result: #7 Buffalo, #8 UMass
 

(Feel free to check my work!)

 

 

Edited 19 hours ago by Zippy87

[Zippy87]

Additional notes:

 

- Buffalo and Toledo have not played each other this season

 

- BGSU defeated EMU at home, 85-79

 

- Ball State defeated CMU on the road, 68-67

 

- If Toledo or Central Michigan lose, UMass is the #8 seed 

Edited 18 hours ago by Zippy87

[Let'sGoZips94]

31 minutes ago, Zips1991 said:

For some reason, I didn't realize that we could still play BG. I think we'd be fine but I'd still rather play Buffalo than BG. My order of preference is: 

 

Buffalo

BG

UMass

 

Buffalo with Freitag is different. Be careful what you wish for there, although all 3 of BG/UMass/Buffalo would be some of the most difficult 1st round matchups any team has had in years. 

[Zippy87]

19 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Buffalo with Freitag is different. Be careful what you wish for there, although all 3 of BG/UMass/Buffalo would be some of the most difficult 1st round matchups any team has had in years. 

 

Will he be back? He hasn't played since the game against us. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

18 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

Will he be back? He hasn't played since the game against us. 

 

My assumption is yes given it's a concussion (correct?). They can be finicky but 2 weeks is normally enough time. 

Edited 17 hours ago by Let'sGoZips94

[Zippy87]

6 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

My assumption is yes given it's a concussion (correct?). They can be finicky but 2 weeks is normally enough time. 

 

I guess it depends on what the injiry/re-injury was against us. If it was another concussion, they have to be very careful with that. 

[kreed5120]

One would have to remember even if he does return will he be in form? Can he give UB 30 - 35 minutes of quality production? Against us he came off the bench and he didn't get a full work load.

Edited 6 hours ago by kreed5120

[ZIPS96]

If it’s a concussion I believe it’s his third this season, so I would be surprised if he plays again this season.

 

[zippy5]

The odds of him coming back and being productive in any way are pretty slim imo

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

If the MAC is going to go as far as giving Miami OH every advantage this year (officiating, schedule, etc.), they might as well cancel the first 2 rounds of the tourney and just put these two teams in the title game to protect their interests. 

[Zippy87]

3 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

If the MAC is going to go as far as giving Miami OH every advantage this year (officiating, schedule, etc.), they might as well cancel the first 2 rounds of the tourney and just put these two teams in the title game to protect their interests. 

 

I agree Miami has received special treatment this year, but here is my question. If it is Akron vs Miami in the Final, wouldn't it be better for the MAC to favor Akron in that game, knowing Miami almost certainly gets in as well? 

[HoopsFan03]

Thursday tip off. Guessing 4:00-5:00?

[Zips1991]

Just now, HoopsFan03 said:

Thursday tip off. Guessing 4:00-5:00?

Yep, I would think closer to 4 than 5 but depends on how many fouls and reviews there are in the first two games. 😅

[Zippy87]

I don't think Freitag will return and if he does, I think he will be limited, so I'm rooting for Buffalo #7 and UMass #8. Miami potentially getting UMass, Toledo, then us as their path would be pretty grueling from a physical perspective.