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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 Josh Mballa Buffalo Bulls (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
MAC Basketball Josh Mballa Buffalo Bulls (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

Predicting the MAC Basketball Tournament

2021 MAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Schedule

Thursday, March 11th, 2021 – Quarterfinals
Game 1: No. 1 Toledo vs. No. 8 Ball State, 11 a.m. ET (ESPN+)

They spilt the season series with Ball State winning the first game 81-67 and Toledo taking the second game 89-70. If Ball State can get this into a scoring match, they have a chance, if not, I think Toledo’s defense does the job.

Prediction: Toledo

Game 2: No. 4 Kent State vs. No. 5 Ohio, Time TBA* (ESPN+)

This will be an interesting #4-#5 matchup. Kent State won their only meeting of the year 89-79. That was back in January and both teams are different teams. This will be a back and forth game, one deserving of a 4-5 matchup.

Prediction: Kent State

Game 3: No. 2 Buffalo vs. No. 7 Miami, Time TBA* (ESPN+)

Buffalo won both meetings this season, so with the way Buffalo is playing no need to think it wont be three in a row.

Prediction: Buffalo

Game 4: No. 3 Akron vs. No. 6 Bowling Green, Time TBA* (ESPN+)

They spilt the season series with Akron winning the first game 69-57 and Bowling Green winning the second game 83-71. Akron are losers of their last three contests and are reeling. I think Bowling Green plays some inspired basketball.

Prediction: Bowling Green

Friday, March 12th, 2021 – Semifinals
Game 5: Game 1 Winner (Toledo) vs. Game 2 Winner (Kent State), 5 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)

Toledo and Kent State played two hard-fought games already this season, as Toledo won the first game by two points 84-82, and the second game winning by the same margin 76-74. I see a different outcome in this third matchup, as Kent State continues the losing streak and Toledo gets a solid win.

Prediction: Toledo

Game 6: Game 3 Winner (Buffalo) vs. Game 4 Winner (Bowling Green), Time TBA* (CBS Sports Network)

Buffalo comes out and takes care of business as the dream of Bowling Green dancing comes to an end. Buffalo running on all cylinders, cruises to each second consecutive championship game.

Prediction: Buffalo

Saturday, March 13th, 2021 – MAC Championship
Game 7: Game 5 Winner (Toledo) vs. Game 6 Winner (Buffalo), 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

The matchup that MAC fans are waiting for, the #1 against the #2 seed for all the marbles and the automatic bid to the big dance. In there only meeting this year, Toledo defeated Buffalo at Buffalo 80-70.

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This game is going to be a heavyweight fight, as the top two scoring teams in the league play a back and forth game. But, one team, in the end, will take control of the game and win a very competitive game. The winner shines up their dancing shoes.

Prediction: Buffalo wins back to back MAC Championships