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MAC Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Jason Burgess

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 20: Channel Banks #11 of the Akron Zips celelebrates a shot during a first round DC Holiday Fest college basketball game against the Tulane Green Wave at the Entertainment & Sports Arena on December 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 20: Channel Banks #11 of the Akron Zips celelebrates a shot during a first round DC Holiday Fest college basketball game against the Tulane Green Wave at the Entertainment & Sports Arena on December 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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HONOLULU, HI – DECEMBER 22: Tahjai Teague #25 and Ishmael El-Amin #5 of the Ball State Cardinals (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HI – DECEMBER 22: Tahjai Teague #25 and Ishmael El-Amin #5 of the Ball State Cardinals (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

Quarterfinals

No. 1 Akron vs. No. 9 Central Michigan

In the first quarterfinal, top-seeded Akron will face Central Michigan. In their only meeting, this season the Zips pulled away in the second half after only leading by three at the half, to win by 13. They were led by Jackson who had 31 points, between he and Channel Banks they combined for 45 points and went 9-16 from three-point land while the rest of the team went 1-11. This game is a tale of two teams that were going in opposite directions entering the conference tournament. Akron won eight of their last nine to earn the top seed, while the Chippewas stumbled, losing eight of nine. I think Akron wins this one rather handily to move to the semifinals.

Prediction: Akron 82, Central Michigan 67

No. 4 Northern Illinois vs. No. 5 Buffalo

In the next quarterfinal, No. 4 Northern Illinois will take on defending champion Buffalo. These two teams also played just once this season with Northern Illinois surviving 73-72 after leading by 10 with 3:30 to play and trailing by one with 34 seconds left. Ironically, it was two free throws that gave the Huskies the win despite 6-14 from the charity stripe in the game. This game should be another tight one as Buffalo shot below their season average in all three categories the first time and Northern Illinois’ German will be fighting to keep his collegiate career alive. In the end, the Huskies will end the dream of a repeat season for Buffalo.

Prediction: Northern Illinois 74, Buffalo 72

No. 2 Bowling Green vs. No. 7 Toledo

The No. 2 Bowling Green Falcons will see their first action of the tournament against Toledo, a team they swept by a total of eight points. In both games, Bowling Green scored 85 points and was led by Turner who scored 20 points per game, but in the second matchup, the Falcons were without second-leading scorer, senior guard Dylan Frye who scored a team-high 22 in the first game. These two teams played two tight games and I’d expect the third to be as well. If the Falcons can bottle up anyone not named Jackson (Willie and Marreon) for Toledo, along with a returning Frye, it should be enough to propel them into the semifinals.

Prediction: Bowling Green 84, Toledo 80

No. 3 Ball State vs. No. 6 Kent State

The final quarterfinal will see the western division champs Ball State taking on the Kent State Golden Flashes. In their only meeting, the Cardinals trailed by as many as 13 in the first half before leading by seven at the break and eventually winning 62-54. The Cardinals got a double-double from Tahjai Teague and despite being outrebounded and committing more turnovers, they pulled out a win.

Kent State, on the other hand, suffered through their worst shooting performance of the season, making 38% of their field goals, 46% of their free throws and just one of 20 threes on the night. I don’t see any way that those numbers repeat themselves and Antonio Williams and Pippen combining for 15 points, as the Golden Flashes get their revenge and earn a trip to the semifinals.