MAC Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions
Semifinals
No. 1 Akron vs. No. 4 Northern Illinois
In the first semifinal, top-seeded Akron will take on No. 4 Northern Illinois in a rematch of a game that Akron dominated from start to finish, defeating the Huskies 72-49. In that game, the Zips’ defense held Northern Illinois to under 25% shooting from the field and 17% from three-point land, and while German had 17 points, the other four starters combined for 11.
One major concern for Akron however, is that they were outrebounded 50-41 and dominated on the offensive glass 22-9. It is unlikely that Northern Illinois will shoot that poorly again, so being better on the glass will be important in limiting Northern Illinois’ second-chance opportunities. I still think Akron wins this game but it should be closer than their first meeting.
Prediction: Akron 73, Northern Illinois 60
No. 2 Bowling Green vs. No. 6 Kent State
The other semifinal has Bowling Green taking on sixth-seeded Kent State, with the higher-seeded Falcons trying to solve the mystery of their opponents for the first time this season. Kent State swept the season series handily, winning by an average of 16 points. The Golden Flashes seemed to employ two different strategies against the Falcons’ Justin Turner, in one game they allowed him to get his points, 24, limiting everyone else, with nobody else scoring more than 10.
In the other matchup, they put the clamps on Turner, holding him to just four points on 2-7 shooting. Antonio Williams was the star for Kent State, notching 22 points in each contest. I think Kent State is just a bad matchup for Bowling Green and the Golden Flashes will once again come out on top, punching their ticket to the title game.
Prediction: Kent State 75, Bowling Green 66
Finals
No. 1 Akron vs. No.6 Kent State
The title game will feature No. 1 Akron taking on the surprise of the tournament, No. 6 Kent State. The season series saw Kent giving Akron one of its four league losses, 68-67 at Kent State, while the Zips got revenge at home, winning 79-76. Both games were back-and-forth affairs and with a trip to the NCAA Tournament on the line the third meeting should be no different.
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Despite the seed discrepancy, this game could be a toss-up, so I will go with the team that had the X factor and for me, that is Akron’s Xeyrius Williams who averaged 18.5 points and 11 rebounds in the two games against the Golden Flashes this season. The Zips will earn their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2013.
Prediction: Akron 74, Kent State 71