The makeup of the MAC basketball tournament bracket didn’t shape up until a crazy, final few seconds in the regular season.
In a win-and-in situation for Central Michigan, the Chippewas lost on a game-winner in double-overtime courtesy of Northern Illinois’ James Dent Jr. The shot seemed to be intended as a pass that somehow made it through the bottom of the net.
What a brutal way for CMU to end the season. Along with the Chippewas, NIU, Ball State, and Buffalo were also left out of the MAC tourney.
With CMU’s loss, Ball State had the opportunity to clinch the eighth seed with a win over Miami (OH) but lost. And despite losing to Western Michigan by one, Bowling Green managed to squeak into the tourney because of those CMU and BSU losses. WMU secured its spot with the win over BGSU.
It’s been a battle within the middle of the conference all season while Akron has been the top team in the league from start to finish. Their college basketball betting odds of +130 to win the MAC tournament are deserving, and it’ll be hard to bet against them considering how dominant they’ve been all season.
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MAC Basketball Tournament Odds
| Team | BetMGM Odds |
| Akron | +135 |
| Kent State | +240 |
| Miami (OH) | +475 |
| Ohio | +800 |
| Toledo | +2000 |
| Eastern Michigan | +4500 |
| Bowling Green | +4500 |
| Western Michigan | +5500 |
Odds via BetMGM as of March 11
MAC Basketball Tournament Prediction
Don’t be surprised if we see the sixth and seventh seeds meeting in the semifinals.
Kent State drew a tough WMU squad that went to the wire with them just a week ago. The Golden Flashes escaped that game with a 77-76 win. The Broncos beat KSU back on Jan. 14. While I think KSU ultimately prevails in this spot, I wouldn’t bet against WMU.
I believe No. 7 Eastern Michigan will also pose problems for No. 2 Miami. The Eagles are playing their best basketball of the season right now and have won five of their last seven, including a 76-66 win over Miami. It’s been the opposite for the RedHawks, whose play hasn’t been nearly as good as it was in the first half of the conference slate. I like EMU to pull off the upset here and meet Kent State in the semis.
The matchup between No. 4 Ohio and No. 5 Toledo will be an interesting one. Which Toledo team will show up? If it’s the Rockets squad that is clicking offensively, then the Bobcats could be headed home. But if it’s the Rockets squad that is uninterested in playing defense, then the Bobcats will make them pay.
These teams met in the regular-season finale last Friday and Toledo won 96-82. Toledo has five regular-season titles under Tod Kowalczyk but zero tournament championships. This isn’t the best team he’s had, but I’m sure he’s eager to get that elusive MAC tournament ship and he guides the Rockets to a win over Ohio for the second time in seven days.
However, I expect Toledo to fall to Akron in the semis.
If KSU and EMU are to meet in the other semifinal, I think the Eagles have a good shot at beating the Flashes. It’ll be a major look-ahead spot for them as they’re eyeing another opportunity to beat Akron — their rival who won both regular-season matchups. And remember, Kent State lost to Akron by one point in the waning seconds of last year’s MAC title game. I think the Flashes overlook EMU in this spot as Eagles coach Stan Heath knocks off the program he took to the Elite Eight in 2002.
The Eagles are not a great defensive team or a great offensive team but they’re gritty and just find ways to win. Heath has a solid amount of experience coaching deep in March, and I think that will be a factor. I don’t think EMU has the potential to beat Akron, though.
The Zips have the best backcourt in the league in Nate and Tavari Johnson, who is a duo we could easily be talking about two weeks from now. I think they lead Akron to its third MAC tournament title in the past four years, and perhaps even get a win or two in the NCAA tournament. Getting Akron at +135 is a good number.
