The first round of the MAC Tournament tips off in Cleveland’s Rocket Arena on Thursday, starting at 11 a.m. ET. The tournament is an eight-team single-elimination format, with the winner guaranteeing themselves a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
There are no second chances. If a team loses, their chance at March Madness is gone. The first round of games all take place Thursday. Let’s dive into the matchups and storylines defining each first-round game to set the stage for this thrilling competition.
Game 1: No. 1 Akron vs. No. 8 Bowling Green (11 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
The Akron Zips are led by MAC Coach of the Year John Groce and the MAC Player of the Year Nate Johnson. The Zips have had a remarkable season of conference play, going 17-1, tied for the best record in conference history. They are a dynamic team, running a rotation of 10 players, all of whom could end up being the game’s leading scorer. They shoot as many 3s as almost any other team in college basketball. The Bowling Green Falcons dramatically secured the eighth seed, as Northern Illinois upset Central Michigan to push the Chippewas out and the Falcons in.
The Zips are a heavy favorite to win this game, but their first matchup came down to the wire. In the first game of conference play, the Zips came back from down nine points with 6:34 remaining on the road to secure their first win in the conference, 71-68. The Falcons proved in their first matchup that they could hang with the Zips, but a lot of time has passed since then. If the Falcons want to pull off the upset, they must replicate their first game, including holding the Zips to below 30% shooting from beyond the arc. Ultimately, the Zips should run away with this game and find themselves in the second round.
Game 2: No. 4 Toledo vs. No. 5 Ohio (30 minutes after conclusion of Game 1, ESPN+)
Toledo and Ohio, on paper, are set to play the closest game of the first-round matchups. Both teams finished the season with identical conference records, while Toledo earned the higher seed due to tiebreakers. These teams have had verysimilar stories throughout the season, both fluctuating in performance. Either one of these teams could make a strong run to the finals and maybe even farther.
Ohio, initially favored to win the conference, has struggled on the road all season. They end the season 3-10 away from home, which does not bode well for a neutral-site tournament. Toledo Rockets have finished the season cold, going 2-6 in their last eight games. Their defense has struggled heavily, though they have shown flashes of their old selves, scoring over 60 points in the second half of their last game with the Zips. If Toledo’s defensive struggles from the previous eight games don’t improve, the Bobcats should move on to the second round. This game could go either way.
Game 3: No. 2 Miami (OH) vs. No. 7 Eastern Michigan (30 minutes after conclusion of Game 2, ESPN+)
The Miami RedHawks massively surpassed preseason expectations, finishing 14-4 after being predicted to finish sixth. Head coach Travis Steele would likely have been coach of the year if it weren’t for his half-brother John Groce’s outstanding season. The RedHawks integrated key transfers like Kam Craft and Antwone Woolfolk, leading to their best season since 1998-99. The Eastern Michigan Eagles are not a team to overlook. The duo of Da’Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry both average 16.8 points per game in conference play. This electric offensive duo could catch on fire and burn Miami, if they are overlooked.
The Eagles and the RedHawks split their season series, with both teams winning their matchup at home. The Eagles have a really strong chance to pull off an upset, but the RedHawks should prevail and move to the second round.
Game 4: No. 3 Kent State vs. No. 6 Western Michigan (30 minutes after conclusion of Game 3, ESPN+)
The Kent State Golden Flashes have been plagued by inconsistency this season. Led by coach Rob Senderoff, the Flashes are looking for redemption from their all-time blunder in the MAC Tournament finals when Julius Rollins forgot the score and fouled, sending Akron to the free-throw line to take the lead. That play likely cost them a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Western Michigan Broncos are playing with house money after they had an eight-game losing streak before conference play even began. They recovered in conference play, going 9-9. They likely did not think they would be here, though, after their rough stretch to start the season.
When the calendar flips to March, Kent State is one of the best teams in the MAC historically. They split their season series against the Broncos, with both teams winning at their opponent’s home gym. Kent State got the last win by a narrow 1-point margin at Kalamazoo. The Golden Flashes should win this one and move on to the next round as they lookto redeem last season’s inexplicable loss.
Final Thoughts
The semifinals are on Friday, and the championship game is on Saturday. The champion will have the privilege to move on to the NCAA Tournament and look to pull off an upset and maybe a Cinderella story. Before there is a chance for that, a team needs to win three straight games. With the MAC’s reputation for unpredictability, this year’s tournament promises exciting matchups and potential upsets as teams battle for a coveted spot in March Madness.
