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MAC Basketball: 2021 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Sean Cole

Mar 12, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Empty seats at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse before the game between the Akron Zips and the Ohio Bobcats. The game and the Mid-American Conference basketball tournament was cancelled in an attempt to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Empty seats at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse before the game between the Akron Zips and the Ohio Bobcats. The game and the Mid-American Conference basketball tournament was cancelled in an attempt to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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MAC Basketball Bracketology

It would be a stretch to say with confidence that the MAC would receive two bids to the dance this year, but never say never. This is why you play the games and have these end-of-the-year tournaments. So, the winner of the MAC Tournament guarantees that there ticket is punched, as the winner of the tournament will receive the MAC Conference automatic bids. But, there could be an outside chance of a two-league bid.  Let’s look at the bracketology for the conference:

Currently, Toledo (62), Buffalo (82) and Kent State (95) currently sit in the Top 100 of the NET Rankings.

Most projections are showing the Toledo Rockets are no higher than a 12 seed in most of the brackets that the prognosticators and others have projected and have them as the league automatic qualifier. Currently, the Rockets are currently #62 in the net ratings, so with a convincing MAC tournament win, it is possible they could be as high as an #11 seed.

Toledo has been getting a few Top 25 votes of the last few weeks, so with a pretty strong NET ranking, it is possible that even if they do not win the tournament, there could be an outside change of them making the tournament. But, it doesn’t matter if they are a #11 or #12 seed, Toledo is the type of team no one wants to face in the big dance.

Most pundits are not figuring on the Buffalo Bulls to win the tournament, so with that said, what would happen if they did win the MAC tournament. If Buffalo does win the MAC title, not only would they receive the automatic bid, but I think could be a really dangerous team in the tournament. Buffalo is currently on a five-game winning streak, so if they won the title, that would put them on a seven=game winning streak.

So, if the Bulls win out and in convincing fashion and with the way they are playing I can see them as a solid #11 even a possible #10. If Buffalo, let’s say makes it to the finals and come up just short, I feel as though they could sneak in, it would be a long shot, but could be possible. Just like Toledo, Buffalo is a team that the big boys don’t want to face in that first round.