How do the MAC Basketball programs rank against each other for 2020-21?
The 2019-2020 Mid-American Conference (MAC Basketball) Tournament ended with the opening round being played by the 6-12 seeds on March 12. The remainder of the tournament was cancelled afterwards. College basketball had maybe the biggest hit COVID-19 dealt in the sports world, as the NCAA Tournament was cancelled and the offseason has been reduced to being virtual.
Nonetheless, we get a reboot and prepare for the 2020-2021 season, which has been approved to start November 25th. Due to COVID-19, this season could be one of the more unique we’ve ever seen.
Arenas could have a limited number of fans and games could be played in different locations or in bubbles, making this season wide open; particularly in the MAC, which includes multiple teams vying for a spot in the “Big Dance”.
The conference also boasts returning All-MAC First Team players from last season in Justin Turner (Bowling Green), Loren Cristian Jackson (Akron), and Jayvon Graves (Buffalo). There was also a lot of transfer movement into the MAC this season. For these two reasons, the MAC could be one of the more competitive and entertaining mid-major conferences this season.
This season for the MAC is all about storylines and the unknown. One team in particular looks primed to have one of the best seasons in program history; thanks to its returning star snubbing Power Five schools in light of such a season. Other schools return key contributors for what could be a three to five team race to the conference title.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the MAC Preseason Rankings.