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

[clarkwgriswold]

1 hour ago, Zippy87 said:

 

They did rings for regular season? 

They can put them in a case next to their MAC tournament participation trophies.

[UAZipster0305]

26 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

They can put them in a case next to their MAC tournament participation trophies.

We troll them in basketball, meanwhile there is ample discussion about high school football in our rivalry week game thread. I am not at all an advocate for or protector of UT, but at least they've been highly competitive in men's basketball, even if they haven't broken through.

[clarkwgriswold]

46 minutes ago, UAZipster0305 said:

We troll them in basketball, meanwhile there is ample discussion about high school football in our rivalry week game thread. I am not at all an advocate for or protector of UT, but at least they've been highly competitive in men's basketball, even if they haven't broken through.

I was referencing Miami and their regular season ring.

[kreed5120]

Yes, it was I who brought Toledo into this. I really have no reason to dislike them as much as I do. I just throw an occasional stray at them because their fanbase and head coach are both insufferable. Otherwise I would view them no differently than a CMU or Ball State.

[Let'sGoZips94]

Toledo Blade MAC Hoops Coaches Anonymous

 

Most interesting excerpt for me...

 

Thoughts on new MAC tournament format?

● “I’m for it. It rewards success in the regular season, and protects the top teams.”

● “I get the logic of trying to protect the higher seeds … but I’m still of the belief that every team should go to the conference tournament.”

● “Totally against it. All the basketball leagues around the country that do this are all gimmicky. Gimmicks don't work, man. The number one seed has to play in the quarterfinals. That's the way all the real basketball leagues do it. I voted against it, and I was very loud, but I'm just one vote. What we did to overreact because somebody’s upset the number one seed got upset in the quarterfinals, that's embarrassing.”

● “I’m against it. First of all, the first or second seed has won our conference tournament six of the last [eight] years. It feels like fixing something that's not broken. Two, I’d argue, most importantly, the essence of March Madness is UMass beating Miami in Cleveland. It’s [No. 8] Kent State beating Toledo. Why are we getting rid of March Madness and those moments?”

● “If you were to ask me what we should be thinking about as a league, it's … knowing that the expanded NCAA tournament could put the MAC more often than not in a play-in game, how do we not play the conference tournament final on the Saturday before Selection Sunday, and then have to turn around and play so quickly? If we want to invest in basketball — which we do — the team that’s going to celebrate and go to the NCAA tournament should reap the reward of having a week to galvanize their community and alums and fans. To win on a Saturday night and potentially play on a Tuesday is a really wasted opportunity.”

 

I'm going to assume the bold answer is Steele. Pansy. I wish we had more coaches involved in this to get a better indication of the league wide thought process. This small sample size shows 1 for it, 3 against, and 1 non-answer. 

Edited Wednesday at 07:57 PM by Let'sGoZips94

[Let'sGoZips94]

5 hours ago, Zippy87 said:

 

They did rings for regular season? 

 

What's worse, apparently they gave these out during an exhibition with 12 people in attendance.

 

 

[kreed5120]

25 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Toledo Blade MAC Hoops Coaches Anonymous

 

Most interesting excerpt for me...

 

Thoughts on new MAC tournament format?

● “I’m for it. It rewards success in the regular season, and protects the top teams.”

● “I get the logic of trying to protect the higher seeds … but I’m still of the belief that every team should go to the conference tournament.”

● “Totally against it. All the basketball leagues around the country that do this are all gimmicky. Gimmicks don't work, man. The number one seed has to play in the quarterfinals. That's the way all the real basketball leagues do it. I voted against it, and I was very loud, but I'm just one vote. What we did to overreact because somebody’s upset the number one seed got upset in the quarterfinals, that's embarrassing.”

● “I’m against it. First of all, the first or second seed has won our conference tournament six of the last [eight] years. It feels like fixing something that's not broken. Two, I’d argue, most importantly, the essence of March Madness is UMass beating Miami in Cleveland. It’s [No. 8] Kent State beating Toledo. Why are we getting rid of March Madness and those moments?”

● “If you were to ask me what we should be thinking about as a league, it's … knowing that the expanded NCAA tournament could put the MAC more often than not in a play-in game, how do we not play the conference tournament final on the Saturday before Selection Sunday, and then have to turn around and play so quickly? If we want to invest in basketball — which we do — the team that’s going to celebrate and go to the NCAA tournament should reap the reward of having a week to galvanize their community and alums and fans. To win on a Saturday night and potentially play on a Tuesday is a really wasted opportunity.”

 

I'm going to assume the bold answer is Steele. Pansy. I wish we had more coaches involved in this to get a better indication of the league wide thought process. This small sample size shows 1 for it, 3 against, and 1 non-answer. 

 

Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy when the Toledo Blade does these pieces. It's going to be a shame when they go away.

[Reslife4Life]

Thoughts on new MAC tournament format?

● “I’m for it. It rewards success in the regular season, and protects the top teams.” Either Miami or Toledo

● “I get the logic of trying to protect the higher seeds … but I’m still of the belief that every team should go to the conference tournament.” I don't know who this would have been, maybe BGSU?

● “Totally against it. All the basketball leagues around the country that do this are all gimmicky. Gimmicks don't work, man. The number one seed has to play in the quarterfinals. That's the way all the real basketball leagues do it. I voted against it, and I was very loud, but I'm just one vote. What we did to overreact because somebody’s upset the number one seed got upset in the quarterfinals, that's embarrassing.” Either Umass or Ford, but I am leaning Umass

● “I’m against it. First of all, the first or second seed has won our conference tournament six of the last [eight] years. It feels like fixing something that's not broken. Two, I’d argue, most importantly, the essence of March Madness is UMass beating Miami in Cleveland. It’s [No. 8] Kent State beating Toledo. Why are we getting rid of March Madness and those moments?” I like this answer as it almost feels like a fan writing it. Really stumped on this one, I'll just guess and say Senderoff

● “If you were to ask me what we should be thinking about as a league, it's … knowing that the expanded NCAA tournament could put the MAC more often than not in a play-in game, how do we not play the conference tournament final on the Saturday before Selection Sunday, and then have to turn around and play so quickly? If we want to invest in basketball — which we do — the team that’s going to celebrate and go to the NCAA tournament should reap the reward of having a week to galvanize their community and alums and fans. To win on a Saturday night and potentially play on a Tuesday is a really wasted opportunity.” What the hell is this? I can't imagine this answer is from a coach that has actually played in March Madness as it almost seems like an excuse. This has directional michigan written all over it

[kreed5120]

9 minutes ago, Reslife4Life said:

Thoughts on new MAC tournament format?

● “I’m for it. It rewards success in the regular season, and protects the top teams.” Either Miami or Toledo

● “I get the logic of trying to protect the higher seeds … but I’m still of the belief that every team should go to the conference tournament.” I don't know who this would have been, maybe BGSU?

● “Totally against it. All the basketball leagues around the country that do this are all gimmicky. Gimmicks don't work, man. The number one seed has to play in the quarterfinals. That's the way all the real basketball leagues do it. I voted against it, and I was very loud, but I'm just one vote. What we did to overreact because somebody’s upset the number one seed got upset in the quarterfinals, that's embarrassing.” Either Umass or Ford, but I am leaning Umass

● “I’m against it. First of all, the first or second seed has won our conference tournament six of the last [eight] years. It feels like fixing something that's not broken. Two, I’d argue, most importantly, the essence of March Madness is UMass beating Miami in Cleveland. It’s [No. 8] Kent State beating Toledo. Why are we getting rid of March Madness and those moments?” I like this answer as it almost feels like a fan writing it. Really stumped on this one, I'll just guess and say Senderoff

● “If you were to ask me what we should be thinking about as a league, it's … knowing that the expanded NCAA tournament could put the MAC more often than not in a play-in game, how do we not play the conference tournament final on the Saturday before Selection Sunday, and then have to turn around and play so quickly? If we want to invest in basketball — which we do — the team that’s going to celebrate and go to the NCAA tournament should reap the reward of having a week to galvanize their community and alums and fans. To win on a Saturday night and potentially play on a Tuesday is a really wasted opportunity.” What the hell is this? I can't imagine this answer is from a coach that has actually played in March Madness as it almost seems like an excuse. This has directional michigan written all over it

 

It can't be Ford. They said they interviewed 6 of the 8 returning head coaches. That would exclude Ford from the criteria.

 

Edit: I do agree with your response which had the best answer. I also wouldn't be surprised if it was Sendy. 

 

As for the last response I could see it being either Sendy or Todd. Maybe Frank Martin as well. My reasoning is all 3 seem to like to provide perspective on things and go into additional details. Not that I actually agree with the argument.

Edited Wednesday at 08:45 PM by kreed5120

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 hour ago, kreed5120 said:

They said they interviewed 6 of the 8 returning head coaches.

 

I was surprised that there were 8 returning head coaches. Felt like there was more turnover than that. Just a couple Directionals, Balls, and Akron.

 

I think the second answer is Buffalo. He came from Nova and the Big East let's all 11 into the tourney. 

 

Totally forgot about Tod K's whiny rear end when labeling the first answer as Steele. I bet they combined the answers into one since they were probably so similar and full of tears. 

 

3 & 4 are almost certainly Sendy and Boals. They're the only returning coaches that had any real success with the previous format. Both would give a ticked off answer like that, too. 

[exit322]

That last one...wouldn't it be better to only have a couple days to help avoid rust?

[Let'sGoZips94]

12 minutes ago, exit322 said:

That last one...wouldn't it be better to only have a couple days to help avoid rust?

 

Maybe, but what would be awesome is if the coach actually answered the question. 

[exit322]

1 minute ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Maybe, but what would be awesome is if the coach actually answered the question. 

Now why would you go and do that haha

[kreed5120]

38 minutes ago, exit322 said:

That last one...wouldn't it be better to only have a couple days to help avoid rust?

 

I think for some they always come up with excuses for their shortcomings. MAC used to give byes to semifinals, but stopped that because they felt it was too OP and didn't provide enough madness to March Madness. Now that we had 2 1 seeds eliminated early in a 10 year span they want to complain about the Madness. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Edited Thursday at 12:27 AM by kreed5120

[Blue & Gold]

IIRC it was kinda rough playing your first game in the cavernous Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse against a team that already had a game under their belts. But on Saturday, if you happened to be a team playing your 3rd game in 3 days against a team playing only their 2nd game in 2 days that was also tough. So IMHO they should have just left well enough alone.  Plus the Thursday of the MACT used to be one of the best days on the yearly calendar, especially in March when you're itching to find things to do.

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 hour ago, Blue & Gold said:

IIRC it was kinda rough playing your first game in the cavernous Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse against a team that already had a game under their belts. But on Saturday, if you happened to be a team playing your 3rd game in 3 days against a team playing only their 2nd game in 2 days that was also tough. So IMHO they should have just left well enough alone.  Plus the Thursday of the MACT used to be one of the best days on the yearly calendar, especially in March when you're itching to find things to do.

 

Like one of the coaches said in their response - it's not like the 1 & 2 seeds were consistently losing early, or even missing the Finals. It was only Miami OH & Toledo that struggled. Criminal that we're being robbed of MACT Thursdays because 2 of the more unlikeable coaches in the league failed at their jobs. 

[NWAkron]

28 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Like one of the coaches said in their response - it's not like the 1 & 2 seeds were consistently losing early, or even missing the Finals. It was only Miami OH & Toledo that struggled. Criminal that we're being robbed of MACT Thursdays because 2 of the more unlikeable coaches in the league failed at their jobs. 

The MAC probably didn't base their decision on the dozen or so people who can sit through 4 games on a Thursday.

[Reslife4Life]

I do like the idea of all teams making the tournament. The 2019 tournament with the bottom 8 teams having a campus site game was fun. That has the opportunity to appease the last person with drumming up excitement

[kreed5120]

11 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

The MAC probably didn't base their decision on the dozen or so people who can sit through 4 games on a Thursday.

 

I'm a sicko that admittedly enjoyed it, but I will concede I was in the minority. I never made it to Cleveland for those Thursday games and having to try to watch at work when Akron was playing at noon was problematic on more than 1 occasion. I had meetings overlapping so I was forced to miss huge chunks of the games. 

[NWAkron]

20 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I'm a sicko that admittedly enjoyed it, but I will concede I was in the minority. I never made it to Cleveland for those Thursday games and having to try to watch at work when Akron was playing at noon was problematic on more than 1 occasion. I had meetings overlapping so I was forced to miss huge chunks of the games. 

I tried the 4 in one day maybe twice and by the 4th game (especially if they weren't competitive) i wanted out of Rocket Mortgage.  It's also hard to convince someone that 4 MAC games in one day will be a lot of fun!  But, that being said, I liked the old format and I liked the play in game format as well.

Edited Thursday at 02:11 PM by NWAkron