The Mid-American Conference has not had a team win in the NCAA Tournament since #13 seed Ohio made a spirited run to the Sweet 16 and took top seed North Carolina to overtime in that Midwest Regional Semifinal. Since then, the MAC has gone 0-4 in the NCAA Tournament, losing in the Round of 64 every time.
Akron won the MAC by three games, though they struggled down the stretch losing three of their last five games, including two at home. Akron is projected to be a 13 seed at the moment, this assuming that the Zips can win the MAC Tournament.
All 12 teams will take part in the tournament and the top four teams received a bye to the quarterfinals. The first round will take place on campus sites on March 6th and the rest of the tournament will take place at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio from March 9th to 11th.
First Round-Monday, March 6th
#9 Northern Illinois at #8 Eastern Michigan
#12 Miami (OH) at #5 Western Michigan
#10 Bowling Green at #7 Toledo
#11 Central Michigan at #6 Kent State
Quarterfinals-Thursday, March 9th
#8 Eastern Michigan vs. #1 Akron
#5 Western Michigan vs. #4 Ball State
#7 Toledo vs. #2 Ohio
#6 Kent State vs. #3 Buffalo
Semifinals-Friday, March 10th
#5 Western Michigan vs. #1 Akron
#7 Toledo vs. #6 Kent State
Championship-Saturday, March 11th
Akron may have struggled down the stretch, but that is not an indication that they will struggle here. They are still the best team in the conference and with upsets rocking this tournament, the Zips should get to the NCAA Tournament.
Kent State 55, Akron 60
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