OUTLOOK: The Mid-American Conference was tremendously lopsided throughout the
2008-09 campaign, as the East Division boasted five teams with winning ledgers
in league play, including Akron and Buffalo, which both posted 20-plus win
seasons. In fact, the Zips and Bulls collided in the MAC title game and,
although Akron was the fifth seed in the tournament, the Zips walked away with
their first-ever league tournament championship. The West Division was an
entirely different story as each team finished under .500 in league play,
while four teams (Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, and
Toledo) posted a 20-plus loss campaign. Ball State grabbed the division title
with a mere 7-9 mark in MAC action, but the team did not last long in the
league tournament. With a new year approaching it seems the Zips have only
gotten stronger and have the personnel to defend its MAC Tournament title.
However, that will not be an easy task with teams such as Kent State and
Buffalo lurking. The Golden Flashes lost some talent, but the team is
extremely deep and should battle for the division title all year. As for the
Bulls, they exceeded expectations last season but this year the rest of the
conference will be more prepared for them. Because of their strong defensive
presence, the RedHawks of Miami-Ohio should cause some trouble, while Bowling
Green and Ohio University finish near the bottom of the division. Over in the
other division, Ball State and Central Michigan should be improved to the
point that the teams will finish above .500 in league play. The Cardinals
suffered through a string of injuries last year, but should be capable of
competing this season with a healthy roster. Much like the Cardinals, the
Chippewas lost some key pieces to injury in the last campaign, but if the team
can remain healthy look for CMU to contend for the West title. Unfortunately,
the remainder of the division (EMU, WMU, NIU and Toledo) will have to...
CONFERENCE CHAMPION: Kent State
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: EAST DIVISION: 1. Kent State, 2. Akron, 3. Miami-
Ohio, 4. Buffalo, 5. Bowling Green, 6. Ohio. WEST DIVISION: 1. Central
Michigan, 2. Ball State, 3. Western Michigan, 4. Toledo, 5. Northern Illinois,
6. Eastern Michigan.
TEAM BY TEAM ANALYSIS:
EAST DIVISION:
KENT STATE: Coming off a 19-win campaign the Golden Flashes are primed for an
even better 2009-10 season, thanks to the return of plenty of veteran players
and several strong newcomers. One area the Golden Flashes will look to improve
is on the glass, as the team ranked near the bottom in the conference in
rebounding. Coach Geno Ford is hoping junior college transfers Greg Avila
(6-6) and Justin Manns (6-11) can boost Kent State up the ranking in the
rebound category. Filling in for Al Fisher (15.1 ppg and 3.5 apg) who led the
team in scoring a season ago, will be another tough task for the Flashes.
Seniors Chris Singletary and Tyree Evans will likely be the main scoring
options for KSU, along with another junior college transfer, Ian Pinkney.
Singletary averaged 12.1 ppg last season, while Evans added 11.7 ppg, but both
players were wildly inconsistent, especially Evans who shot just 39.0 percent
from the floor on the year. The return of Rodriguez Sherman from a knee injury
gives the Flashes a solid option at point guard and along with freshman
Randall Holt, Kent State should have enough athletic ability in the backcourt.
With six seniors with experience on the roster, this will be the best chance
for the Golden Flashes to return to the NCAA Tournament.
AKRON: The Zips only lose one player from last season's team that ripped off a
23-win campaign, captured the MAC Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA
Tournament. While the team was bounced in its first game, coach Keith Dambrot
feels his team is talented enough for a return to the Big Dance. Although the
Zips enjoyed an outstanding 2008-09 campaign, the team did not shoot
particularly well and for the squad to have success this year it must improve
dramatically at the offensive end of the floor. The top two returning scorers
are the McKnight brothers, Brett and Chris. Brett averaged 11.2 ppg while
Chris tallied 9.2 ppg and also pulled down a team-best 4.7 rpg. For the Zips
to continue to enjoy success the team will need the McKnight brothers to
become a regular presence in the paint, as well as sophomore Nikola
Cvetinovic. The backcourt is filled with plenty of talent, but the most
important guard for the Zips is sophomore Anthony Hitchens who comes into this
season looking to build off his solid 08-09 campaign in which he averaged 8.8
ppg. Ronnie Steward will likely handle the point guard duties and is
definitely hoping for a bounce back year after missing most of last season
with a hip injury. Daryl Roberts, who posted 8.3 ppg and Steve McNees give
Akron solid long-range options as the two players shot 39.8 and 34.6 percent,
respectively, from beyond the arc. The talent is there for Akron to make
another run at a league title, but the team will just have to deal with
stiffer competition this time around.
MIAMI-OHIO: The RedHawks have always relied on their defensive play to corral
wins and this year will be no different, as the team will most likely rank
near the top of the conference in scoring defense. This year the importance of
offense will be vital for the team's success, especially since Michael Bramos,
the 2008-09 MAC Player of the Year, has moved on. Also no longer with the team
is Tyler Dierkers (9.2 ppg and 7.3 rpg), the team's best option inside the
paint a year ago. Kenny Hayes (13.9 ppg) only participated in eight games, but
the point guard is back in the mix this season and will likely share time on
the court with sophomore Kramer Soderberg. Picking up the slack up front will
have to be Adam Fletcher and Julian Mavunga. Fletcher, is only 6-8, which
makes him a tad undersized for the center position, but he will receive help
from freshman center Drew McGhee who stands at 6-11. The biggest key to the
frontcourt will be Mavunga who should see a dramatic increase in playing time
after averaging just 12.7 minutes per contest. Coach Charlie Cole will need
the sophomore to improve by leaps and bounds but expect another newcomer,
freshman Drew Kelly, to provide some help in the paint. Like always, the
RedHawks will need to play their usual tenacious defense, but if the team does
not receive consistent production out of the frontcourt, then this will be
nothing more than a mediocre season for Miami-Ohio.
BUFFALO: The Bulls were expected to finish near the bottom in the East
Division last season, but Buffalo exploded onto the scene in the MAC and
caught every other team by surprise. That will not be the case this season as
teams will be much more prepared for Buffalo, even though the Bulls have
plenty of talent to compete in this conference, beginning with Rodney Pierce
and Calvin Betts. Pierce averaged 14.3 ppg a year ago, while Betts tallied 9.1
ppg, but neither player was really consistent as the two seniors shot just
38.7 and 39.9 percent, respectively, from the field. As for Betts, he also
contributed on the glass and defensively, as the forward led the team with 6.3
rpg and 18 blocks. Lending a hand in the frontcourt will be Titus Robinson and
Mitchell Watt. Both players were very active in their respective roles, but
Robinson and Watt will now need to play on a more consistent basis and will
likely find themselves in the starting lineup. However, if one of the two
players fails to live up to expectations, look for hard-workers such as Max
Boudreau or Jawaan Alston to find more playing time. Joining Pierce in the
backcourt will either be senior John Boyer or newcomer Tony Watson. Boyer will
likely begin the year as the point guard for Buffalo, but Watson is supposedly
an explosive player that will earned more time on the floor as the year
progresses.
BOWLING GREEN: The top three scorers from last season for the Falcons have
flown the coop, leaving this year's squad with plenty of question marks. Joe
Jakubowski is the best offensive option for the Falcons heading into the year,
but the guard is coming off a sophomore campaign in which he tallied just 7.7
ppg. Other than Jakubowski there is not a whole lot to rely on in the
backcourt for BGSU. Freshmen Luke Kraus and Jordon Crawford could be thrown
right into the mix because of a lack of options in the backcourt, but also
expect sophomore Dee Brown to get some time on the court. Kraus is more of a
shooting guard with respectable range, while Crawford is the slashing type
that uses his speed to crash the net. The frontcourt for Bowling Green does
not possess many scoring options, but the team will have three solid defenders
and grinders in the post this season, beginning with Otis Polk who averaged
6.1 ppg and 5.5 rpg and also led the squad with 41 blocks. Marc Larson and
Erik Marschall round out the talent in the frontcourt, but also expect
freshman Danny McElroy to get plenty of time on the floor with his physical
brand of basketball. This will not be a pretty, high-scoring team, but if the
Falcons can play steady defense they will likely keep most of their games
close.
OHIO: Word around the conference is that the Bobcats have collected a solid
group of recruits that could make Ohio a powerhouse in the MAC in a couple
seasons. As for this year the team returns one senior, which means there will
be plenty of inexperience on the floor for the Bobcats. Steve Coleman is the
best option in the backcourt as the sophomore is coming off a strong campaign
in which he posted 9.8 ppg and led the team with 53 steals. However, his team-
high 84 turnovers is definitely an area he needs to improve upon. Coleman will
be the most experienced player in the backcourt though, as the team will
likely need freshmen Jay Kinney and D.J. Cooper to step in instantly and
perform at a high-level. The backcourt will receive a boost in December when
Armon Bassett is eligible to play. Bassett, who has transferred from Indiana
and UAB, is an excellent three-point shooter and in 2007-08 led the Big Ten in
three-point field goal percentage. The frontcourt looks to be in even more
need of help this season, as the team does not have any reliable options down
low. Forward Tommy Freeman is back in the mix, but at 6-5 he does not possess
the height or body to work in the paint, which is why he is considered more of
a shooter. That leaves coach John Groce with 6-8 forward DeVaughn Washington
and 6-10 center Kenneth van Kempen, although neither are exactly outstanding
performers. So, while the future might look bright for Ohio, the present
certainly looks grim.
WEST DIVISION:
CENTRAL MICHIGAN: The Chippewas were decimated by injuries a year ago, but the
return of Chris Kellerman and Marco Spica make Central Michigan an instant
favorite to win this division, the dominating tandem giving the team a
presence in the frontcourt. In just seven games a year ago, Kellerman averaged
a healthy 14.4 ppg and 5.6 rpg. As for Spica, he missed all of last season
with an injury, but should be ready to make a huge impact on this team upon
his return. Even with the return of both players, coach Ernie Zeigler went out
and collected some impressive junior college talent, beginning with William
McClure. McClure only stands 6-7, but the junior uses his body well and is not
afraid to mix it up underneath the basket. Along with Kellerman and Spica,
McClure gives CMU one of the nastier defensive front courts in the conference.
The backcourt for Central Michigan is experienced and will now have plenty of
depth at both positions. Jordan Bitzer (12.1 ppg and 4.9 rpg) and Robbie
Harman (11.4 ppg and 3.0 apg) are both back to take over their respective
positions and now with a reliable frontcourt the two guards should have more
room to work. Both players will be on a short leash, especially Harman, who
shot just 36.7 percent a year ago. Junior college transfers Amir Rashid and
Jalin Thomas give the Chippewas solid depth at the guard position but, more
importantly, if Bitzer or Harman struggle one of the JUCO transfers could step
in and start without a problem. Barring injuries, the Chippewas look like the
team to beat in the West Division.
BALL STATE: Much like the Chippewas, the Cardinals struggled through an
injury-plagued year, but the team has reason to be optimistic this time around
as coach Billy Taylor has plenty of talented players looking to grab a
division title. Probably the best and most surprising player on this team is
sophomore Jarrod Jones who exploded onto the scene a year ago after Anthony
Newell was lost for the season. As a freshman, Jones led the Cardinals with
11.2 ppg and 7.3 rpg and should perform at a higher level this season with
more talent around him. One of the players that will stand next to Jones on
the court is Ole Miss transfer Terrence Watson. Watson is a gritty, defensive-
minded player that should take some attention and pressure off Jones. The
backcourt has some questions that will need to be answered early in the
season. Sophomore Pierre Sneed will likely begin the year as a starter, but
that could quickly change if the guard shoots 23.3 percent from the field like
he did a season ago. Coach Taylor is hoping freshmen Jauwan Scaife and Zach
Harrison can instantly step in and contribute. Ball State should be much
improved this year, but the backcourt remains an issue that could keep this
squad from claiming the division title.
WESTERN MICHIGAN: The Broncos head into this season with possibly the best
all-around player in the league in David Kool. However, other than Kool the
roster consists of inexperienced and role players which means Kool (17.9 ppg)
will likely have to play an even larger role then he did a season ago. If
Western Michigan plans on enjoying any success, the team will need to jump on
the shoulders of the senior guard. Joining Kool in the backcourt will likely
be Mike Douglas, who played sparingly last season but has tremendous talent
and ability. Also look for freshmen Brandon Pokley and David Brown to be
thrown into the mix in hopes of giving Kool a solid running mate. The
frontcourt is a completely different story as the success of the Broncos
down low will rest on the shoulders of Donald Lawson. The 6-10 senior dealt
with some heart conditions a year ago, but if the big man's ticker is feeling
better he will likely find himself on the floor leading WMU in the paint.
However, other than Lawson the team is riddled with inexperience down low, as
coach Steve Hawkins will likely rely on sophomores Flenard Whitfield and
Muhammed Conteh, along with freshman Nate Hutcheson more then he would like to
this season. Kool can win the Broncos a few games on his own, but for Western
Michigan to make a run in this division other players will have to step up
production.
TOLEDO: After losing 25 games a year ago the Rockets come into this season
with zero seniors on the roster, which means it could be another long campaign
for coach Gene Cross. Justin Anyijong is the mainstay in the frontcourt for
Toledo, as the forward is coming off a sophomore campaign in which he averaged
9.7 ppg. He will likely be joined by freshmen Jordan Dressler and Hayden
Humes. Dressler is a 245 pound forward that loves contact in the paint and has
no problem battling for boards, while Humes is more of a finesse player who
can post-up or hit a long-range jumper. The best offensive option for the
Rockets could be a freshman, as Malcolm Griffin will likely land in a starting
role. Griffin is a big, dominating force that can drive the lane or score from
the outside. Sophomore Larry Bastfield will likely land the other starting
spot for Toledo, but look for freshmen Josh Freelove and Neil Watson to see
plenty of action on the floor. Toledo has no pressure to perform this season,
which oddly enough could make this team of youngsters play even harder to
prove they are a solid club. If everything goes right the Rockets could push
towards a .500 mark, but that is highly unlikely.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS: A dark horse in this division could be the Huskies who
return plenty of contributors from last year and have also added a few highly
touted newcomers. Darion Anderson and Mike DiNunno give the Huskies two solid
options in the backcourt. Anderson led the team with 16.9 ppg a year ago,
while DiNunno averaged 11.9 ppg, but the latter will definitely have to
improve his 35.2 percent shooting effort from the floor. Colorado transfer
Xavier Silas should also see plenty of playing time and expect freshman Tony
Nixon to make a run at MAC Newcomer of the Year honors. The frontcourt will
showcase Sean Kowal once again, coming off a mediocre sophomore campaign in
which he posted 9.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg. Najul Ervin will join Kowal in the paint,
giving the Huskies two solid rebounders. However, if the frontcourt is going
to enjoy maximum success the team will need Ante Dzepina to drastically
improve his 3.4 ppg and 2.7 rpg averages from a year ago.
EASTERN MICHIGAN: The Eagles finished last year with 24 losses and a main
reason for the terrible season was the lack of production offensively, as the
team averaged less than 60.0 ppg. The top two scorers from a year ago are back
for coach Charles Ramsey, as Justin Dobbins and Brandon Bowdry give the Eagles
two solid offensive performers. Bowdry led the team with 14.8 ppg and 7.2 rpg,
but the combo player also committed a team-high 124 turnovers. Bowdry will
have plenty of help this time around, beginning with the return of Carlos
Medlock. Medlock, who missed last year with a broken foot, averaged 14.8 ppg
and 4.1 apg in 2007-08 and could be one of the better point guards in the
conference. Adding some much-needed offense will be junior college transfers
Quintin Dailey and Jay Higgins. Dailey, son of a former NBA player, is a 6-3
guard with outstanding range and the ability to take a game over. As for
Higgins, he will supply the team with athletic presence in the frontcourt
which will take pressure of Dobbins. Dobbins and Higgins will be a nice tandem
for EMU, but if freshman center Matt Balkema (6-10, 290) can get onto the
court this could be one of the better groups in the conference.
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