MAC basketball has had an up and down 2021 season. The Toledo Rockets pretty much went wire-to-wire as the best team in the conference. However, the No. 2 seed was up for grabs in a game between Kent State and Buffalo. The Bulls breezed by the Flashes, 81-67, to secure that coveted No. 2 seed. With the seeding all set, can the Rockets secure the automatic bid, and make some noise in March Madness?
The following contains the MAC Tournament bracket and schedule, as well as a preview of what we can expect to see.
Be sure to visit our College Basketball Conference Tournaments Hub for more Champ Week coverage!
MAC Basketball Standings
| Team | Conference Record | Overall Record | Tournament Outlook |
| Toledo | 15-4 | 20-7 | 1 Seed |
| Buffalo | 13-5 | 15-7 | 2 Seed |
| Akron | 12-6 | 14-7 | 3 Seed |
| Kent State | 12-7 | 15-8 | 4 Seed |
| Ohio | 9-5 | 13-7 | 5 Seed |
| Bowling Green | 19-8 | 14-10 | 6 Seed |
| Miami (OH) | 9-8 | 12-10 | 7 Seed |
| Ball State | 8-9 | 10-12 | 8 Seed |
| Western Michigan | 4-12 | 5-16 | DNQ For Tournament |
| Eastern Michigan | 3-11 | 6-12 | DNQ For Tournament |
| Central Michigan | 3-13 | 7-16 | DNQ For Tournament |
| Northern Illinois | 2-12 | 3-16 | DNQ For Tournament |
MAC Basketball Schedule
Dates: March 11-13
TV: ESPN2, CBS Sports Network, ESPN+
Site: Rocket Mortgage Field House, Cleveland, Ohio
Byes: None
Most Recent Champion (2019): Buffalo Bulls
MAC Basketball Tournament Bracket
*Note: All times provided are Eastern
Quarterfinals (March 11th)
- (1) Toledo 91, (8) Ball State 89
- (5) Ohio 85, (4) Kent State 63
- (2) Buffalo 74, (7) Miami (OH) 63
- (3) Akron 74, (6) Bowling Green 67
Semi-Finals (March 12th)
- (5) Ohio 87, (1) Toledo 80
- (2) Buffalo 81, (3) Akron 74
Championship Game
- (5) Ohio vs. (2) Buffalo – 7:30 PM ET, ESPN2
MAC Basketball Breakdown
In 2020, Akron and Ohio University were on the court, warming up for their matchup. It was a usual warm-up. However, with about five minutes before tip-off, both team cleared the floor, and only thirty minutes later we learned the 2020 MAC Championship would be cancelled.
This has been an odd year throughout college basketball. Toledo is the class of the MAC this year. All five starters for the Rockets average over 10 points per game. Buffalo is looking to win two straight MAC Tournaments, dating back to 2019. The Bulls have won five straight heading into the tournament. Cross-town rivals Kent State and Akron, are solid contenders. On Friday, the Golden Flashes were without the majority of their scoring options versus Buffalo, including preseason All-MAC second-team guard Danny Pippen, who has not disappointed this year. He should be back for their game against Ohio on the 11th.
Ohio is led by the one of the best players in the conference — 6-4 guard Jason Preston. He was on a roll before the tournament was cancelled last year. Miami’s trio of Dae Dae Grant, Dalonte Brown and Mekhi Lairy are capable of at least giving Buffalo a scare. The Ball State duo of Jeenathan Williams and Ishmael El-Amin combine to average over 32 points per game. However, the Cardinals will need more than just a good effort from the duo to beat Toledo. As we’ve seen in the past with players like Kemba Walker at UConn and Ja Morant at Murray State, one player can go on an incredible tournament run. The candidate for that in the MAC is Bowling Green guard Justin Turner. He’s averaging 20 points per game and can score in bunches.
