MAC
The conference was down for its standards last season with a 62-77-1 ATS record in non-conference games. Akron was the only team in the conference that ranked in the top 113 in points allowed on a per possession basis last season.
Akron has made two of the past three NCAA Tournaments despite ranking 294th in 3-point shooting percentage last season. But the Zips are tasked with replacing their top four scorers from last season. They’ll also try to keep their defensive intensity up. Akron ranked 21st in opponent 3-point shooting percentage and 53rd in points allowed on a per possession basis last season.
After spending last season at Indiana, Peyton Sparks is back with Ball State. He was the team’s top rebounder in the 2022-23 season, but he wanted to test his game at a higher level. Unfortunately, Sparks was glued to the bench in the Big Ten last season, which is why he decided to head back to the MAC. He’ll look to lead the Cardinals to a big season in 2024-25.
Toledo has gotten at least a share of the conference regular season title in each of the past four seasons, but the team has zero NCAA Tournament appearances to show for it. The Rockets have a high powered offense that has ranked in the top 35 in points scored on a per possession basis in each of these past four seasons. But in each of the past two seasons, they have been 247th or worse in points allowed on a per possession basis.
Despite ranking just 324th in points scored on a per possession basis, Central Michigan went 10-6 in conference play. The team benefitted from the conference being down offensively. Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Miami OH, and Northern Illinois all joined the Chippewas as teams that were 256th or worse last season in points scored on a per possession basis.
After making the 2023 NCAA Tournament, Kent State’s 17-17 record last season was tied for its worst win percentage since the 1997-98 season. The Golden Flashes are also tasked with replacing six of last season’s top eight scorers.
Ohio is the only team in the conference that returns at least 50% of its minutes played. The team has also had a winning record in all five seasons under coach Jeff Bowles. Additionally, the Bobcats were 18th in fewest turnovers per possession last season. They’ll look to Jackson Paveletzke to put up the type of numbers he did at Wofford two seasons ago, when he had 15.1 points and 3.7 assists per game on 39.3% 3-point shooting before spending last season on Iowa State’s bench.
