CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 17. Up next: The MAC Tournament.
It’s one of the final conference tournaments to start, but the MAC Tournament has multiple teams that can be realistic sleepers to pull off a round of 64 upset in the Big Dance.
The MAC also cuts the last four teams in the standings from postseason play, so every game will be quality basketball.
2024 MAC Conference Awards
Player of the Year: Enrique Freeman, Akron
Freshman of the Year: Arne Osojnik, Eastern Michigan
Transfer of the Year: Marcus Hill, Bowling Green
Coach of the Year: Tony Barbee, Central Michigan
First Team:
- G: Jaylin Hunter, Ohio (13.9 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.4 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 51.8 2P%)
- G: Anthony Pritchard, Central Michigan (13.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 50.0 2P%)
- G: Rah’Heim Moss, Toledo (15.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.7 SPG, 52.0 2P%)
- G: Marcus Hill, Bowling Green (20.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.0 SPG)
- F: Enrique Freeman, Akron (18.1 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.5 BPG, 61.8 2P%)
Second Team:
- G: David Coit, Northern Illinois (20.8 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.2 RPG)
- G: Dante Maddox Jr., Toledo (15.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 40.8 3P%)
- G: Tyson Acuff, Eastern Michigan (21.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 50.3 2P%)
- F: Ali Ali, Akron (15.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, 61.4 2P%)
- F: Basheer Jihad, Ball State (18.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.1 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 35.4 3P%)
MAC Tournament Simulation
Quarterfinals – Thur., Mar. 14
1. Toledo (20-11, 14-4) vs. 8. Kent State (15-16, 8-10) – 11 a.m. on ESPN+
Toledo kind of got the 1-seed out of nowhere winning five of their last seven games, including their regular season finale with Kent State. While the Golden Flashes have talent and hit the offensive boards well, Toledo has a three-headed monster in Moss, Maddox Jr., and Tyler Cochran that won’t fall this early.
Mat’s pick: 1. Toledo
4. Central Michigan (18-13, 12-6) vs. 5. Bowling Green (19-12, 10-8) – 30 minutes after game 1 on ESPN+
Marcus Hill is the top scorer to watch, but I’d also pay attention to the big men. Rashaun Agee for Bowling Green averaged nearly a double-double and CMU’s Brian Taylor wasn’t too far off either. I’m also expected Anthony Pritchard to keep this game under control, but given it’s a tournament, let’s side with Hill, who could be in for a big scoring day.
Mat’s pick: 5. Bowling Green
2. Akron (21-10, 13-5) vs. 7. Miami-OH (15-16, 9-9) – 30 minutes after game 2 on ESPN+
Two words: Enrique Freeman. While he and Ali Ali had a big game in the regular season against the RedHawks and lost, tournament basketball is a different story. Sure, Travis Steels could come up with another gameplan to try and limit him, but the best player on arguably the best team doesn’t scream quarterfinal loss in the MAC Tournament.
Mat’s pick: 2. Akron
3. Ohio (19-12, 13-5) vs. 6. Western Michigan (12-19, 9-9) – 30 minutes after game 3 on ESPN+
After starting the season 3-10, WMU really turned it around in MAC play. One of those wins was against Ohio, capping off a 5-game winning streak. They’re also coming in off beating Akron. On the flip side, Ohio has won six straight and has Jeff Boals who is a great tournament coach. I think Western Michigan keeps it close, but Ohio comes out on top.
Mat’s pick: 3. Ohio
Semifinals – Fri., Mar. 15
1. Toledo vs. 5. Bowling Green – 5 p.m. on CBSSN
Can Bowling Green shut down Toledo’s high-octane offense? They did so once, and they also lost once as the Rockets dropped 88 points on them. Bowling Green’s defense has been clicking lately, but Toledo dropped 85+ in their final three regular season contests.
Mat’s pick: 1. Toledo
2. Akron vs. 3. Ohio – 7:30 p.m. on CBSSN
The clash of the Ohio teams could be a true battle as both have been some of the most consistent programs in the MAC over the past few seasons. It’s another instance where the teams split both regular season games but I am a bit concerned at how Akron finished the season losing five of their last eight games. I think that catches up to them here.
Mat’s pick: 3. Ohio
Championship – Sat., Mar. 16
1. Toledo vs. 3. Ohio – 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2
Another instance of two Ohio teams duking it out on the court and this one does slightly favor Toledo, who won both regular season meetings. My key stat here is the three-point line. Ohio is top 70 in 3P% and the Rockets were somewhat susceptible to giving up threes during the season. As long as the Bobcats catch some fire, I think they represent the MAC in March.
Mat’s pick: 3. Ohio