MAC Basketball WIDE Open

[Steve_424]

The conference is having a down year, which will make this one of the most interesting MAC Tournaments in recent memory.

Kent State - 6-2
Buffalo - 6-3
Miami - 6-3
Bowling Green - 6-3
Akron - 4-5
Ohio - 4-5

Ball State - 6-3
Western Michigan - 5-3
Northern Illinois - 3-6
Central Michigan - 3-6
Eastern Michigan - 3-6
Toledo - 1-8


The top four get tournament byes, and there is about nine games left in the conference season. There are legitimately 6-7 teams that could potentially win the tournament and go dancing this March. Should be a great race!

 

[The Voice]

The conference is having a down year, which will make this one of the most interesting MAC Tournaments in recent memory.

Kent State - 6-2
Buffalo - 6-3
Miami - 6-3
Bowling Green - 6-3
Akron - 4-5
Ohio - 4-5

Ball State - 6-3
Western Michigan - 5-3
Northern Illinois - 3-6
Central Michigan - 3-6
Eastern Michigan - 3-6
Toledo - 1-8


The top four get tournament byes, and there is about nine games left in the conference season. There are legitimately 6-7 teams that could potentially win the tournament and go dancing this March. Should be a great race!

Again the tournament is all that matters. You could be the last seed and still win the whole thing, taking you to the dance. Remember last year when

this kid owned y'all.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

Again the tournament is all that matters. You could be the last seed and still win the whole thing, taking you to the dance. Remember last year when

this kid owned y'all.

Hey Optomist, don't forget this guy:

Currently the NATIONAL leader in assists at 7.7 per game. He's also #15 in the nation with 2.43 steals per game.

The Bobcats started out conference play pretty shaky, but they have played better as of late. They have five conference losses, but one was by 4 in triple OT to Miami, one was a 3 pt loss to Kent, and one was a 5 pt loss to Buffalo.

They are in a similar place as they were last year. Still an extremely young team as at some points in the season they have started 2 freshman and 2 sophomores together at various points throughout the season, and are playing 5 freshman and sophomores 18+ min a game.

The biggest key for the Bobcats down the stretch will be DeVaughn Washington. Though Bassett and Cooper certainly got all the press last year, it was Washington's play over the last 10 or so games of the season that really elevated the play of the entire team. He hasn't had a stellar year as many thought he would, but he has been playing better as of late. His presence in the post will once again be critical if the Bobcats want to make a run in the tourney.

 

[GregOdensKnees]

31-9

 

[Steve_424]

Ohio U is a terrible matchup for my Zips, but I don't think they'll win the tournament. They've lost to all of the MAC teams currently with winning conference records, which isn't a good sign.

 

[The Voice]

Hey Optomist, don't forget this guy:

Currently the NATIONAL leader in assists at 7.7 per game. He's also #15 in the nation with 2.43 steals per game.

The Bobcats started out conference play pretty shaky, but they have played better as of late. They have five conference losses, but one was by 4 in triple OT to Miami, one was a 3 pt loss to Kent, and one was a 5 pt loss to Buffalo.

They are in a similar place as they were last year. Still an extremely young team as at some points in the season they have started 2 freshman and 2 sophomores together at various points throughout the season, and are playing 5 freshman and sophomores 18+ min a game.

The biggest key for the Bobcats down the stretch will be DeVaughn Washington. Though Bassett and Cooper certainly got all the press last year, it was Washington's play over the last 10 or so games of the season that really elevated the play of the entire team. He hasn't had a stellar year as many thought he would, but he has been playing better as of late. His presence in the post will once again be critical if the Bobcats want to make a run in the tourney.

Bassett, Kellog (the older one) and Coleman all left the team. Kellog cause he wants to focus on academics, Bassett to play in Europe, and Coleman to pursue a rap career.

Ohio U is a terrible matchup for my Zips, but I don't think they'll win the tournament. They've lost to all of the MAC teams currently with winning conference records, which isn't a good sign.

Please refer to it as Ohio, Ohio Bobcats, Bobcats, Ohio University Bobcats or Ohio University, never Ohio U or Ohio U Bobcats.

 

[Chardon]

Hey Optomist, don't forget this guy:

Currently the NATIONAL leader in assists at 7.7 per game. He's also #15 in the nation with 2.43 steals per game.

The Bobcats started out conference play pretty shaky, but they have played better as of late. They have five conference losses, but one was by 4 in triple OT to Miami, one was a 3 pt loss to Kent, and one was a 5 pt loss to Buffalo.

They are in a similar place as they were last year. Still an extremely young team as at some points in the season they have started 2 freshman and 2 sophomores together at various points throughout the season, and are playing 5 freshman and sophomores 18+ min a game.

The biggest key for the Bobcats down the stretch will be DeVaughn Washington. Though Bassett and Cooper certainly got all the press last year, it was Washington's play over the last 10 or so games of the season that really elevated the play of the entire team. He hasn't had a stellar year as many thought he would, but he has been playing better as of late. His presence in the post will once again be critical if the Bobcats want to make a run in the tourney.

No way Ohio Wins the MAC. I say it comes down to Buffalo and Kent in the MAC East.

Ball State will win the West.

But its all about the Tournament.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

No way Ohio Wins the MAC. I say it comes down to Buffalo and Kent in the MAC East.

Ball State will win the West.

But its all about the Tournament.

And no one said they would win the tourney last year. Then they ran through Kent, Miami, and Akron.

SGM...last year Ohio lost many close games to the top of the MAC (same as this year) and that's why they went into the tourney as the #9 seed. However, Akron, Kent, Miami, etc. knew that if Ohio was able to pull it together, they were a big matchup problem. Of course Bassett is gone, but there's still really no one in the MAC that can handle Cooper.

Optomist...yeah I know all those guys left, but Coleman and Alex Kellogg weren't on the team last year either so that's almost a wash. Coleman certainly would have been a big contributor if he had stayed (he had the potential to score 16+ a night) but clearly his heart wasn't in it and he was one mistake (joint) from being kicked off the team. I'm not really sure what happened with Kellogg. I would have to guess that he didn't think he would get very much playing time so he just dedcided to focus on his school work since he can likely graduate at the end of this year.

T.J. Hall and Ricardo Johnson (both freshman) are two guys that have been playing pretty well as of late. Both are perimeter players with length that can be disruptive on D and have shown the ability to score a little bit.

All in all, the MAC is a complete crap shoot. The team that wins the tourney is hardly ever the regular season champ. The last two times Ohio won the tourney they were the #5 and #9 seeds. To be honest, being the pick to win it is almost like the kiss of death. As always, should be fun in Cleveland come March.

 

[The Voice]

And no one said they would win the tourney last year. Then they ran through Kent, Miami, and Akron.

SGM...last year Ohio lost many close games to the top of the MAC (same as this year) and that's why they went into the tourney as the #9 seed. However, Akron, Kent, Miami, etc. knew that if Ohio was able to pull it together, they were a big matchup problem. Of course Bassett is gone, but there's still really no one in the MAC that can handle Cooper.

Cooper is crazy on the boards.

Optomist...yeah I know all those guys left, but Coleman and Alex Kellogg weren't on the team last year either so that's almost a wash. Coleman certainly would have been a big contributor if he had stayed (he had the potential to score 16+ a night) but clearly his heart wasn't in it and he was one mistake (joint) from being kicked off the team. I'm not really sure what happened with Kellogg. I would have to guess that he didn't think he would get very much playing time so he just dedcided to focus on his school work since he can likely graduate at the end of this year.

Kellogg wanted to focus on academics and we both know he doesn't need the scholarship seeing as his dad is Clark Kellogg and I'm sure he's paying for his son's school now. The real reason we got Alex was to get his brother anyways. Who is supposed to be the better of the two. Coleman is still on campus from people I've talked to that are still down there, so I'm not sure what's up with that. Coleman was probably our second best player on the team scoring wise and a huge load is even more on Cooper's shoulders.

All in all, the MAC is a complete crap shoot. The team that wins the tourney is hardly ever the regular season champ. The last two times Ohio won the tourney they were the #5 and #9 seeds. To be honest, being the pick to win it is almost like the kiss of death. As always, should be fun in Cleveland come March.

True and Buffalo hardly ever wins, so I doubt they will.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

Kellogg wanted to focus on academics and we both know he doesn't need the scholarship seeing as his dad is Clark Kellogg and I'm sure he's paying for his son's school now. The real reason we got Alex was to get his brother anyways. Who is supposed to be the better of the two. Coleman is still on campus from people I've talked to that are still down there, so I'm not sure what's up with that. Coleman was probably our second best player on the team scoring wise and a huge load is even more on Cooper's shoulders.

Can't really disagree with what you said. I would still be interested to know if that's the full truth on Kellogg. I know that the Kellogg's are certainly known for high character, but he spent all of last year sitting out and practicing with the team only to quit when he can actually play? Just seems odd to me. I had heard Coleman was still on campus as well. I think the kid will probably get another shot, but likely as a walk on. I would definitely have some issues with him getting his scholarship back immediately (Ohio still has an open scholly for next year) after quitting on his teammates. I'm all for him earning it back, which he likely would if given the opportunity. However, just giving it to him doesn't really do much if he happens to get in trouble again or decides to leave again.

Since you are a fellow Bobcat, sometime I'll have to tell you how I inadvertently helped recruit DeVaughn. It didn't really come full circle until I ran into him after the MAC Championship Game last year.

 

[Casualties14]

Cooper is crazy on the boards.



Kellogg wanted to focus on academics and we both know he doesn't need the scholarship seeing as his dad is Clark Kellogg and I'm sure he's paying for his son's school now. The real reason we got Alex was to get his brother anyways. Who is supposed to be the better of the two. Coleman is still on campus from people I've talked to that are still down there, so I'm not sure what's up with that. Coleman was probably our second best player on the team scoring wise and a huge load is even more on Cooper's shoulders.



True and Buffalo hardly ever wins, so I doubt they will.

I still see Coleman around campus. I have even seen Bassett a few times.

 

[Steve_424]

And no one said they would win the tourney last year. Then they ran through Kent, Miami, and Akron.

SGM...last year Ohio lost many close games to the top of the MAC (same as this year) and that's why they went into the tourney as the #9 seed. However, Akron, Kent, Miami, etc. knew that if Ohio was able to pull it together, they were a big matchup problem. Of course Bassett is gone, but there's still really no one in the MAC that can handle Cooper.

Optomist...yeah I know all those guys left, but Coleman and Alex Kellogg weren't on the team last year either so that's almost a wash. Coleman certainly would have been a big contributor if he had stayed (he had the potential to score 16+ a night) but clearly his heart wasn't in it and he was one mistake (joint) from being kicked off the team. I'm not really sure what happened with Kellogg. I would have to guess that he didn't think he would get very much playing time so he just dedcided to focus on his school work since he can likely graduate at the end of this year.

T.J. Hall and Ricardo Johnson (both freshman) are two guys that have been playing pretty well as of late. Both are perimeter players with length that can be disruptive on D and have shown the ability to score a little bit.

All in all, the MAC is a complete crap shoot. The team that wins the tourney is hardly ever the regular season champ. The last two times Ohio won the tourney they were the #5 and #9 seeds. To be honest, being the pick to win it is almost like the kiss of death. As always, should be fun in Cleveland come March.

Ohio took out those teams at home last year, this year they lost to Buffalo, Kent, and Miami at home...those are three teams that are very tough to beat on the road.

You're right in saying that nobody in the MAC can check Cooper, but if they don't find a solid #2 opposing teams will simply let Cooper get his and shut everyone else down, kind of how teams defended David Kool. Bassett leaving hurt OU biiiiig time.

With that said, it's a wide open tournament. A strong argument could be made for Buffalo, Kent, OU, BG, Miami, and Ball State, and possibly others to win it.

 

[Ren]

Too early to call Zeke Marshall a bust? He has to be the most un-athletic 7 footer I have ever seen.

 

[Steve_424]

Too early to call Zeke Marshall a bust? He has to be the most un-athletic 7 footer I have ever seen.

I'd venture to guess you haven't watched much of Zeke...

 

[Ren]

I'd venture to guess you haven't watched much of Zeke...

Sadly i've watched too much of him... I love watching him get pushed around by people way shorter then him game after game.