CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 15. Up next: The MAC Tournament.
The 2026 MAC season can be summed up with one team – Miami (OH). The RedHawks finished the regular season a perfect 31-0 – despite many close calls in conference play. Still, only a handful of teams in the history of college basketball have accomplished a feat like that, and now Travis Steele’s group joins that short list.
But surprisingly, Akron is still the favorite to win the conference. The Zips went 26-5 and went 17-1 in the MAC, only playing and losing to Miami once.
Kent State is another sleeper team, with forward Delrecco Gillespie as a player who can be a game-changer in the MAC Tournament.
It’s only an eight-team bracket, with five teams not qualifying, but it should have as many viewers as the Power 5 tournaments, with the Miami storyline as one of the best in college hoops.
2026 MAC Awards
Player of the Year: Tavari Johnson, Akron
Freshman of the Year: Leroy Blyden, Toledo
Transfer of the Year: Leonardo Bettiol, UMass
Coach of the Year: Travis Steele, Miami (OH)
First Team:
- G: Tavari Johnson, Akron (20.2 PPG, 5.2 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 51.7 FG%, 37.6 3P%)
- G: Javontae Campbell, Bowling Green (18.8 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.6 RPG, 3.1 SPG, 49.6 FG%)
- G: Sonny Wilson, Toledo (17.4 PPG, 4.5 APG, 3.6 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 49.8 FG%, 39.8 3P%)
- G: Peter Suder, Miami-OH (14.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 55.6 FG%, 42.0 3P%)
- F: Delrecco Gillespie, Kent State (18.1 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.4 BPG, 52.5 FG%)
Second Team:
- G: Jackson Paveletzke, Ohio (17.5 PPG, 5.2 APG, 3.0 RPG, 47.6 FG%)
- F: Eian Elmer, Miami-OH (12.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, 50.4 FG%, 43.4 3P%)
- F: Amani Lyles, Akron (14.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 57.2 FG%, 41.1 3P%)
- F: Brant Byers, Miami-OH (14.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 0.6 APG, 49.1 FG%, 40.9 3P%)
- F: Leonardo Bettiol, UMass (17.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.2 APG, 60.6 FG%)
2026 MAC Tournament Simulation
Quarterfinals – Thursday, Mar. 12
1. Miami-OH (31-0, 18-0) vs. 8. UMass (16-15, 7-11) – 11 a.m. on ESPN+
Every team has given and will give the RedHawks their absolute best, and you better bet Frank Martin will have a great gameplan for the Minutemen. But Travis Steele and co. have had some time to take in the craziness of the regular season, and as long as they can limit a huge day inside for Bettiol, they’ll be fine.
Mat’s pick: 1. Miami-OH
4. Toledo (17-14, 11-7) vs. 5. Bowling Green (18-13, 9-9) – 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+
Javontate Campbell and Sam Towns form an incredible duo for a Bowling Green team that somehow only went .500 in the MAC, even with a solid defense. They also split with this Toledo team, which has been playing some of its best ball lately. Sean Craig and Austin Parks will be key for Toledo to get this win.
Mat’s pick: 4. Toledo
2. Akron (26-5, 17-1) vs. 7. Buffalo (17-14, 7-11) – 4:30 p.m. on ESPN+
The Bulls have been sneakily good at times this season, nearly ending Miami’s pursuit of a perfect season twice. But the Zips blew them out both times. While it’s tough to beat a team three times in a season, it’s also tough to beat this Akron juggernaut.
Mat’s pick: 2. Akron
3. Kent State (23-8, 14-4) vs. 6. Ohio (15-16, 9-9) – 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+
The Bobcats have lost three straight, been blown out by Kent State, and have struggled on the boards. That’s a recipe for Delrecco Gillespie to have a massive game and for Kent State to move on to the semifinals.
Mat’s pick: 3. Kent State
Semifinals – Friday, Mar. 13
1. Miami-OH vs. 4. Toledo – 5 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
Toledo definitely has the offense to keep up with Miami, but they also have the three-point defense that could allow the RedHawks to put together a clinic from deep range. They only lost by two in their second-to-last game of the regular season, but the first time around, Miami hit a dozen threes and scored 87 points. That’s what I’m expecting this time around.
Mat’s pick: 1. Miami-OH
2. Akron vs. 3. Kent State – 7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
This could be the game of the MAC Tournament, and it could also provide the winner. While Gillespie is a game-changer, Amani Lyles can definitely keep it at bay, and Akron’s depth should take over and win this game.
Mat’s pick: 2. Akron
Championship – Saturday, Mar. 14
1. Miami-OH vs. 2. Akron – 8 p.m. on ESPN2
This is the MAC Tournament finals everyone is looking forward to, and there’s obviously a great chance we do get it. And while I believe Miami-OH should be in the NCAA Tournament, even with a first-round loss to UMass, they’ll have nothing to worry about with a loss here. I’d also like to make it known that I think Miami is good enough to win a game or two in the big dance, but also that Akron is the more complete team. Give me the Zips in a MAC Tournament classic.