2026 Off-Season Tracker

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Really not impressed with Miami OH's offseason. 

 

I still think Miami, Ohio, and us are the top 3 contenders in the MAC for next year based off where rosters stand today.

 

Maybe a team like UMass has some moves lined up that would enable them to enter this conversation, but they have been very underwhelming. Particularly because their AD said they would be competing on another level financially before joining. Not sure where that money went.

Edited 3 hours ago by kreed5120

[kreed5120]

Billy Donlon made a very nice signing for EMU. Still a downgrade compared to what they lost in Habhab

 

https://x.com/i/status/2047714264954110206

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 hour ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I still think Miami, Ohio, and us are the top 3 contenders in the MAC for next year based off where rosters stand today.

 

Maybe a team like UMass has some moved lined up that would enable them to enter this conversation, but they have been very underwhelming. Particularly because their AD said they would be competing on another level financially before joining. Not sure where that money went.

 

Still waiting for all the dust to settle before I start thinking Power Rankings, but I would agree that Akron/Miami OH are in the top echelon. I just don't think Miami OH was able to retain or retool with any of their "special" qualities from last season. They were a mismatch all over the place due to their size that could also shoot, and they've largely lost that. Skaljac is a nice player but how much of his early success has been due to all of the support around him? Defenses will be able to play him differently and can afford to put a longer defender on him instead of needing all their length for Suder/Elmer/Byers. 

 

Todd Simon always does well in the Portal and this year is no exception. He wins in April, Tod K wins Nov. through Feb., and Akron wins in March. 

 

Balls, WMU, and EMU should be much improved, especially if the new coaches can actually coach. They've done well so far in rebuilding really bad rosters. 

 

Kent & Toledo are TBD. They'll always be competitive, but I'm not seeing anything special.

 

Ohio has added some decent offense it appears, but I question their defensive abilities at the moment which has been their achilles heal.

 

Buffalo and CMU are ? and has anyone heard from UMass? 

[RoyalBlu]

3 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Still waiting for all the dust to settle before I start thinking Power Rankings, but I would agree that Akron/Miami OH are in the top echelon. I just don't think Miami OH was able to retain or retool with any of their "special" qualities from last season. They were a mismatch all over the place due to their size that could also shoot, and they've largely lost that. Skaljac is a nice player but how much of his early success has been due to all of the support around him? Defenses will be able to play him differently and can afford to put a longer defender on him instead of needing all their length for Suder/Elmer/Byers. 

 

Todd Simon always does well in the Portal and this year is no exception. He wins in April, Tod K wins Nov. through Feb., and Akron wins in March. 

 

Balls, WMU, and EMU should be much improved, especially if the new coaches can actually coach. They've done well so far in rebuilding really bad rosters. 

 

Kent & Toledo are TBD. They'll always be competitive, but I'm not seeing anything special.

 

Ohio has added some decent offense it appears, but I question their defensive abilities at the moment which has been their achilles heal.

 

Buffalo and CMU are ? and has anyone heard from UMass? 

 

I agree Kent is TBD, but I would put Toledo up there w/Ohio-Akron-Miami. Toledo has picked up a nice veteran PG from Marquette, and have a pair of high-quality freshmen guards coming in. Don't sleep on UMass, either. If they pick up a couple shooters their stock will rise.

 

Sadly, with graduations and the portal the 2026-27 season likely won't be as good as the last one. But somehow come March the MAC still puts 4 quality teams on the court for the MAC Tournament semis ... no matter what their records.