MAC Announces 2026-27 Men's Basketball Preseason Poll, All-MAC Teams

[kreed5120]

I know @Zippy87 shared a link elsewhere, but I felt it deserved it's own thread.

 

2026-27 MAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll
First Place Votes (x)
1. Miami – 130 (9)
2. Toledo – 117 (2)
3. Akron – 110
4. Kent State – 108 (1)
5. Ohio – 82
6. UMass – 79
7. Bowling Green – 63
8. Western Michigan – 58
9. Eastern Michigan – 56
10. Buffalo – 47
11. Ball State – 40
12. Central Michigan – 25

 

Tournament Champions: Miami (5), Toledo (4), UMass (2), Kent State (1)

Preseason All-MAC First Team
Mohammad Habhab, Eastern Michigan, Forward, R-So.
Evan Ipsaro, Miami, Guard, Sr.
Javan Simmons, Ohio, Forward, R-Sr.
Luke Skaljac, Miami, Guard, Jr.,
Chansey Willis Jr., Kent State, Guard, Sr.

Preseason All-MAC Second Team
Sean Jones, Toledo, Guard, R-Sr.
Evan Mahaffey, Akron, Wing, 5th-Sr.
Austin Parks, Toledo, Center, Sr.
Jackson Paveletzke, Ohio, Guard, 5th-Sr.
Tahj Staveskie, Akron, Guard, R-Sr.

[kreed5120]

The field of 68 is hosting media day. You can find the link here. Women's coverage began at 10AM. I watched Ryan Gensler earlier, but I didn't really have any takeaways to share other than it sounds like we have less roster turnover compared to previous years.

 

Jon Steinbrecher will join at 1PM EST. They will be interviewing MAC men's coaches afterwards.

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 03:47 PM by kreed5120

[Let'sGoZips94]

No regular season 1st place votes or tournament champion votes. No 1st Team All MAC predictions.

 

I understand we have a new coach and a decent amount of roster turnover, but my goodness - please continue to doubt the only ever 3-straight MAC champs. Bulletin board material.

[kreed5120]

Dustin and Tahj are the ones who interviewed for Akron. Below is a short clip. I watched the 15 minute interview, but I didn't really have anything specific worth sharing. For those wishing to go back and view Akron's interview is between Toledo and Kent.

 

https://x.com/MACSports/status/2112620341608751437

[kreed5120]

45 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

No regular season 1st place votes or tournament champion votes. No 1st Team All MAC predictions.

 

I understand we have a new coach and a decent amount of roster turnover, but my goodness - please continue to doubt the only ever 3-straight MAC champs. Bulletin board material.

 

TBF Sendy openly admitted with the state of college basketball he was throwing darts. Said half the guys he put on All-MAC teams he's not even certain if they will be eligible given the lawsuits.

 

Preseason ratings have never been good indicators of success, but they're especially bad this day and age.

[Let'sGoZips94]

2 hours ago, kreed5120 said:

 

TBF Sendy openly admitted with the state of college basketball he was throwing darts. Said half the guys he put on All-MAC teams he's not even certain if they will be eligible given the lawsuits.

 

Preseason ratings have never been good indicators of success, but they're especially bad this day and age.

 

I'd imagine Sendy had at least Mahaffey as 1st team, and I'm not saying there is any legitimacy with the preseason rankings when it comes to reality. However, shouldn't someone have voted the Zips to be champs to at least not leave the complete list of bulletin board material for the most successful program since COVID to use as motivation? Even if there isn't a belief that Akron is going to be the class of the MAC, the reverse psychology would've been a decent play instead of this. 

[kreed5120]

Miami and Toledo probably have the most returning talent. I imagine that played a major part in coaches picking them 1 & 2. That would be my guess.

 

I like the guys Akron brought in, but MAC coaches aren't going to be familiar with them. Especially for guys like Colin White who they have little tape on.

[ZippyRulz]

3 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

No regular season 1st place votes or tournament champion votes. No 1st Team All MAC predictions.

 

I understand we have a new coach and a decent amount of roster turnover, but my goodness - please continue to doubt the only ever 3-straight MAC champs. Bulletin board material.

 

Usually when people diss you it's out of envy.

[kreed5120]

I was misinformed. Steinbrecher was actually interviewed at the end, not in-between the men's and women's reviews. He's such a company man and was openly glazing the NCAA. It was pretty nauseating. I was hoping to hear something about a new MAC TV deal or something along those lines, but nothing was brought up.

[NWAkron]

Certainly missing Oggie.  He was easily 1st or 2nd team.  Likely POY in the Metro Atlantic.