It seems like many people have already chalked up Miami (Ohio) as the winner of the MAC regular-season title.
The RedHawks are 18-0 overall and 6-0 in league play and really have only been tested once against conference foes, which was a three-point victory over Akron.
College basketball betting odds suggest Miami and Akron are the only two programs that have a real shot at winning the MAC regular-season title.
However, with six weeks remaining in the regular season, there’s still plenty that can happen that could propel another team to the top of the standings by the season’s end. There are currently three teams with one conference loss, and each has the potential to make some noise down the stretch.
MAC Conference Basketball Odds (Regular-Season Champion) via BetMGM
Miami (OH) -175
Akron +140
Kent State +1900
Bowling Green +4500
Ohio +6600
Toledo +8000
Buffalo +9000
Massachusetts +30000
Eastern Michigan +30000
Central Michigan +50000
Western Michigan +50000
Northern Illinois +50000
Odds as of Jan. 14.
Miami (OH) Basketball Outlook
There’s no denying the offensive powerhouse that is Miami. It can shoot the lights out and is averaging 93.3 points per game and shooting 53.8% from the field. The RedHawks’ 3-point percentage of 41.8% is the best in the country.
Led by redshirt sophomore and last year’s MAC Freshman of the Year Brant Byers, Miami has five guys who are averaging double-figures and one who is averaging 9.9 PPG. Byers is averaging 15.6 PPG and shooting at a 52% clip.
The RedHawks have one of the most potent offenses in the country and haven’t sputtered despite losing starting point guard Evan Ipsaro to a torn ACL in late December.
Miami’s defense has also been stout this season, so even if it is having an off night offensively, its ability to defend should always give it a chance.
Picking anyone but the RedHawks to win the MAC is tough, but with a target on their backs, they’re going to get every team’s best effort. There’s always a chance they lose a couple of league games, which could open the door for another program to steal a regular-season league title.
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Akron Basketball Outlook
If anybody would be capable of knocking Miami off its path, then it’s likely going to be the Zips. Unfortunately for Akron — and the fans — the Zips and the RedHawks already played their only meeting of the season, with Miami winning 76-73.
The Zips had a late lead but couldn’t hit enough shots down the stretch to seal the win. It was even more important for Miami because it now owns the tiebreaker if both teams were to finish tied at the top of the standings.
Akron (13-4, 4-1) has the best defense in the league based on KenPom metrics and also has a prolific offense. The Zips are averaging 93 PPG.
Senior point guard Tavari Johnson averages 19.8 PPG and 5.5 assists per game. He’s one of the best playmakers in the league and could carry Akron to a conference title.
The Zips will likely be favored in each game for the rest of the season, and I don’t see them losing again.
Their only hope is that Miami has a few poor showings.
Other MAC Championship Contenders
Kent State and Toledo are the two other teams in the MAC that currently have one league loss.
The Golden Flashes are another team with a potent offense and are averaging 90.4 PPG. They have a deep rotation of guys that can score, and the probable frontrunner for the league’s Player of the Year at this point in the season is Delrecco Gillespie. The senior is averaging 21.2 points and 15.8 rebounds per game in conference play.
Kent State has the tools it needs to win the rest of its league games; the defense just might have to stiffen up some.
Like KSU, Toledo’s defense has been shaky at times this year, and it has caused them to drop a few games to quality competition.
The Rockets have a duo of 6-foot-1 guards in Sonny Wilson and Leroy Blyden Jr., though, who can take over any game. I also have faith in head coach Tod Kowalczyk to get his team where it needs to be to make a push down the stretch.
MAC Basketball Predictions
If you haven’t gotten in on Miami yet, then now might be the time to do so, as the odds will likely get longer as the season goes on, unless they drop a couple of games. However, I don’t see Miami losing more than one league game, and the tiebreaker over Akron will be what leads them to a regular-season MAC title.
Kent State at 19/1 odds could be worth a dart throw, especially because Gillespie should keep the Flashes competitive in every game.
