CBB Review hands out awards for each conference tournament in 2023. Up next: The MAC Tournament.
In Mat Mlodzinski’s MAC preview, he predicted a Toledo vs. Akron final. He was half-right, with Kent State defeating Toledo to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. While Akron won the conference last year, Kent State advances this year to their 5th NCAA Tournament since 2002, when they went all the way to the Elite Eight behind Antonio Gates and John Edwards.
CBB Review MAC Tournament Outstanding Player
Sincere Carry, Kent State
This award easily could’ve gone to Malique Jacobs or Miryne Thomas, and that speaks to the depth of this Golden Flashes team. But after a 26-point, 4-assist performance in the championship against Toledo and “Carry”ing Kent State, the award will go to Mr. Sincere Carry. He averaged 20.0 PPG and 4.3 APG over three tournament games and was integral to Kent State making it back to March Madness.
CBB Review All-MAC Tournament First Team
- G: Sincere Carry, Kent State – 3 games played (20.0 PPG, 4.3 APG, 3.7 RPG, 1.0 SPG)
- G: RayJ Dennis, Toledo – 3 games played (22.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.7 APG)
- G: Malique Jacobs, Kent State 0 3 games played (17.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.3 APG)
- F: Setric Millner Jr., Toledo – 3 games played (17.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.0 APG)
- F: Enrique Freeman, Akron – 2 games played (22.5 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 3.0 BPG)
Kent State’s NCAA Tournament Prediction
Round of 32
MAC teams historically pose problems in March, with a MAC program advancing past the first round in three of the past four tournaments played. Kent State could very well continue that trend, as their trio of double-digit scores in Sincere Carry, Malique Jacobs, and Miryne Thomas are capable of playing up to any level of competition.
One glance at the Golden Flashes’ out-of-conference schedule and their strength are evident: just three losses to Houston, Gonzaga, and College of Charleston by a combined 14 points. Sure, they give up a lot of free throws and aren’t an exceptional three-point shooting team. But they play disciplined on offense, force turnovers on defense, and can defend the three-ball well. Good luck to Indiana, who has less than a week to prepare for Carry, Jacobs, and Thomas.