CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 16. Up next: The MAC Tournament.
The MAC basketball tournament is set to tip off this Thursday in Cleveland. The MAC has had quite a bit of turnover from last season and has set up an unprecedented, and unforgettable tournament.
2025 MAC Awards
Player of the Year: Tavari Johnson, Akron
Freshman of the Year: Brant Byers, Miami (OH)
Transfer of the Year: Jermahri “Fatt” Hill, Ball State
Coach of the Year: John Groce, Akron
First Team:
- G: Nate Johnson, Akron (13.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.9 SPG)
- G: Tavari Johnson, Akron (12.8 PPG, 4.0 APG, 2.0 RPG, 38.5 3P%, 90.6 FT%)
- G: Peter Suder, Miami (OH) (13.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 50.0 FG%)
- F: VonCameron Davis, Kent State (15.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 36.5 3P%)
- F: Da’Sean Nelson, Eastern Michigan (16.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 BPG, 1.1 SPG)
Second Team:
- G: Jalen Terry, Eastern Michigan (16.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, 37.9 3P%)
- G: Anthony Pritchard, Central Michigan (13.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.9 SPG)
- G: Jalen Sullinger, Kent State (15.1 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 36.7 3P%)
- G: Sam Lewis, Toledo (15.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 43.3 3P%)
- F: Ugnius Jarusevicius, Central Michigan (16.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 0.6 APG, 53.7 FG%)
2025 MAC Tournament Simulation
First Round – Thur., Mar. 13
1. Akron (25-6, 17-1) vs. 8. Bowling Green (14-17,8-10) – 11 a.m. EST on ESPN +
How do you stop the Akron Zips? The Ohio Bobcats were the only team in the MAC that had an answer to that question. The high-octane offense led by Nate Johnson and Tavari Johnson has made the Zips impossible to guard. MAC sixth man of the year Shammah Scott provides an extra dose of scoring off of the bench. I simply don’t see a world where Bowling Green can keep up. Sadly we will not see an eight vs. one upset this year (Maybe).
Roen’s pick: 1. Akron
4. Toledo (17-14, 10-8) vs. 5. Ohio (16-15, 10-8) – 30 minutes following the previous game – ESPN +
This is the best matchup of the first round. On one hand you have a Toledo team that is youthful and has one of the best defensive presences in the entire MAC. On the other hand, Ohio is getting hot at the perfect time led by AJ Clayton and are the only team in the MAC to defeat the Akron Zips so far. Javan Simmons vs AJ Clayton down low is going to be the deciding factor. I’m taking the experience of the Bobcats as they continue their hot streak.
Roen’s pick: 5. Ohio
2. Miami (OH) (23-8, 14-4) vs. 7. Eastern Michigan (16-15, 9-9) – 30 minutes following the previous game – ESPN +
Let me take you back to November of 2024. Imagine if I told you that Miami would become a MAC contender overnight and Bellarmine transfer Peter Suder would be a legit candidate for MAC Player of the Year. Chances are; you wouldn’t believe me, and reasonably so. Miami shoots 39% from downtown as a team, which is insane. 39% from beyond the arc is a recipe for success in March. Eastern Michigan is too top-heavy and lacks the depth needed to take down the mighty Redhawks.
Roen’s pick: 2. Miami (OH)
3. Kent State (21-10, 11-7) vs. 6. Western Michigan (12-19, 9-9) – 30 minutes following the previous game – ESPN +
No one wants to be that guy who doesn’t pick upsets. Everyone knows that guy and chances are he’s the most vanilla guy you know. Well, this is the least vanilla pick you can possibly make. Going into conference play; Kent State was number one in our power rankings, and Western Michigan was dead last. Little did I know that the return of Chansey Willis Jr. in December changed everything for this Bronco’s team. It turns out, adding an All-MAC caliber player truly does make a difference. Kent State has been inconsistent as of late, and we don’t know what version of the Golden Flashes we’re going to get. Kent State was the Cinderella story of the MAC tournament last year, but I think it’s time someone else dawns the glass slipper. I’m riding the hot hand with Western Michigan.
Roen’s pick: 6. Western Michigan
Semifinals – Fri., Mar. 14
1. Akron vs. 5. Ohio – 5 p.m. EST on CBS Sports Network
The rematch that everyone asked for. John Groce of the Zips may get an opportunity to coach against his former team that he coached to the Sweet 16 in 2012. I don’t think Ohio has the guard play to match Akron. I also believe that former North Carolina Tar-Heel James Okonkwo is the perfect answer for AJ Clayton, but that’s if Okonkwo can stay out of foul trouble. It’ll be hard for Ohio to get past Akron’s 2-3 zone that has worked to perfection this season. Akron shot 4-18 from beyond the arc in their loss to Ohio last month, that’s not going to happen again.
Roen’s pick: 1. Akron
2. Miami (OH) vs. 6. Western Michigan – 30 minutes following the previous game on CBS Sports Network
Remember when I talked about the potential Cinderella run of Western Michigan? Well it appears that the clock has struck midnight, as the Broncos run into the Redhawks. I do think Western Michigan has what it takes to go further, but this is a mismatch. Western Michigan has not defended the three well this season, and they are facing the top three-point shooting team in the MAC. It was fun while it lasted, but Miami was made for March.
Roen’s pick: 2. Miami (OH)
Championship – Sat., Mar. 15
1. Akron vs. 2. Miami (OH) – 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN 2
It will be the battle of the brothers in the MAC championship. Miami’s Travis Steele and Akron’s John Groce grew up in Danville, Indiana, and grew up being obsessed with Indiana High School Basketball. The gritty product they watched on the floor of historic New Castle field house has translated to their respective coaching careers. The last time a number one seed has won the MAC tournament was 2019 when Buffalo won the tournament led by head coach Nate Oats en route to the six seed in the big dance. This is a very even match-up, and it’s hard to pick a weak point. However, Akron’s Achilles heel is turnovers, as they average 12 per game. Miami forces 14 turnovers per game, and have many ballhawks on the perimeter. This gives the Redhawks the advantage as they cut down the nets. Little brother for the win.
Roen’s pick: 2. Miami (OH)