2026 MAC Tournament

[Zips1991]

2 hours ago, ZipForNow said:

Is there a promo code to purchase tournament tickets on the gozips website?

No code needed, just go to this link and change the quantity from 0 to however many you need.

https://gozips.evenue.net/event/MB25/MAC01

[Let'sGoZips94]

Akron is now -110 on FanDuel to win the MAC tourney. Miami OH is +230 (just like their Free Throw Attempt advantage).

[Zips1991]

I saw that the Buffalo head coach said that, at this time, they don't expect Freitag to be back for the MAC Tournament but he's continuing to be evaluated.

[Let'sGoZips94]

Just now, Zips1991 said:

I saw that the Buffalo head coach said that, at this time, they don't expect Freitag to be back for the MAC Tournament but he's continuing to be evaluated.

 

Wow.

[NWAkron]

Below is a post from Buffalo Bulls forum.  This logic is more twisted than what I regulary see on here😀:

 

"I was surprised that Akron bludgeoned NIU as bad as they did yesterday.

I know it was Senior night and all, but they were up 20 at halftime.  And then came out stronger in the second half, leading by 41 at one point.

Sure...they set a record for consecutive home wins...but this sort of effort on a game that is meaningless in seeding for the tournament was surprising, especially on the defensive end.

In Cleveland, everything is bigger.  There is a real possibility that Akron doesn't come out with that same fire for a first round game against a team they've beat twice already.  At least that's my (our) hope!  And, once a team that should win by alot gets behind, nerves start to kick in.  Things can get away from them."

Edited yesterday at 02:21 PM by NWAkron

[Let'sGoZips94]

38 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

Below is a post from Buffalo Bulls forum.  This logic is more twisted than what I regulary see on here😀:

 

"I was surprised that Akron bludgeoned NIU as bad as they did yesterday.

I know it was Senior night and all, but they were up 20 at halftime.  And then came out stronger in the second half, leading by 41 at one point.

Sure...they set a record for consecutive home wins...but this sort of effort on a game that is meaningless in seeding for the tournament was surprising, especially on the defensive end.

In Cleveland, everything is bigger.  There is a real possibility that Akron doesn't come out with that same fire for a first round game against a team they've beat twice already.  At least that's my (our) hope!  And, once a team that should win by alot gets behind, nerves start to kick in.  Things can get away from them."

 

The guy isn't wrong; there's always the possibility of a flat game. However, I don't think Groce or these seniors will be looking ahead. Buffalo is the team Akron was manhandling before taking their foot off the gas and allowing Buffalo to beat the spread. A thorough bludgeoning should be in order. 

Edited yesterday at 02:59 PM by Let'sGoZips94

[kreed5120]

48 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

The guy isn't wrong. There's always the possibility of a flat game. However, I don't think Groce or these seniors will be looking ahead. Buffalo is the team Akron was manhandling before taking their foot off the gas and allowing Buffalo to beat the spread. A thorough bludgeoning should be in order. 

 

I'm actually not as hostile about UB regarding that game as some. I've seen some ridiculous late game come backs in my time. UNI a decade or so ago blew a 12 point lead with <1 minute against Texas A&M in the Big Dance.  We all know of Reggie Miller's infamous 8 points in ~10 seconds against the Knicks.

 

IMO it's better that we're prepared for those scenarios now so that we're not taken by surprise in March.

Edited 23 hours ago by kreed5120

[Let'sGoZips94]

28 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I'm actually not as hostile about UB regarding that game as some. I've seen some ridiculous late game come backs in my time. UNI a decade or so ago blew a 12 point lead with <1 minute against Texas A&M in the Big Dance.  We all know of Reggie Miller's infamous 8 points in ~10 seconds against the Knicks.

 

IMO it's better that we're prepared for those scenarios now so that we're taken by surprise in March.

 

I agree - I was happy to see that hapen for every reason you mentioned and exactly why Groce made sure NIU's beatdown lasted the full 40 minutes (plus it helps NET).

[kreed5120]

It appears Buffalo will likely be without both Freitag and Pocknett. Hopefully we can build a nice cushion and are able to rest our starters for final the ~5 minutes. 

 

 

[Illini Zip]

This could be a head fake, but I still prefer Buffalo to UMass. 

[Zippy87]

Anyone know what section Zips fans will be in Thursday?

[Let'sGoZips94]

10 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

Anyone know what section Zips fans will be in Thursday?

 

102-107

[kreed5120]

I've watched parts of a few of the Sun Belt games over the past several days. Game attendance has varied between ~600-2,500 thus far.

 

We give the MAC a lot of crap, but let's take a moment to at least acknowledge the one thing they have done right is the MAC tournament. They put on quite the show. We're easily hitting above our weight class when you see the attendance figures we put up compared to other relative conferences and even some, like the AAC, that you would expect much more out of.

Edited 1 hour ago by kreed5120

[Let'sGoZips94]

12 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

I've watched parts of a few of the Sun Belt games over the past several days. Game attendance has varied between ~600-2,500 thus far.

 

We give the MAC a lot of crap, but let's take a moment to at least acknowledge the one thing they have done right is the MAC tournament. They put on quite the show. We're easily hitting above our weight class when you see the attendance figures we put up compared to other relative conferences and even some, like the AAC, that you would expect much more out of.

 

The MAC is really lucky their top teams are consistently within a few hours of Cleveland and typically have a decent alumni presence in the NEO area. 

 

The geographic footprint of other conferences is a disadvantage when it comes to conference tourneys. 

[MDZip]

The other thing I'd really like to find out is how many of the other conference tourneys that have the aim of protecting their high seeds actually do the opposite. It just seems like a lot of teams that don't play the first round seem to lose in the next round. At least in the MAC tournament you kind of get a "breather" game before advancing to the next round. Unless of course you happen to be Toledo. 

[Blue & Gold]

20 minutes ago, MDZip said:

The other thing I'd really like to find out is how many of the other conference tourneys that have the aim of protecting their high seeds actually do the opposite. It just seems like a lot of teams that don't play the first round seem to lose in the next round. At least in the MAC tournament you kind of get a "breather" game before advancing to the next round. Unless of course you happen to be Toledo. 

Good point. This year I'm glad we'll get our "Cleveland legs" under us vs. Buffalo as opposed to jumping right into the semi-finals vs. either Kent or Ohio.