I've caught Kent, EMU, UB, Ball St., UT, BG, Miami and WMU more than once each this month (thanks to ESPN) and, except for WMU, all look better than expected and improved from last year. Haven't seen NIU or CMU yet. Akron, while not as good as the past few years, might be better than most expected.
Still early, but MAC basketball might be beginning a slow improvement for the first time this millennium.
Talked to Joe Reitz and his dad at the Indy airport today. They were just getting back from Myrtle Beach where they had been watching Western. They did not seem to think that the Broncs were doing badly. They thought there was a lot of upperclassmen on that team that were going to have a good year.
I think the East is definitely poised to do well. As for the west...Western Ball and Toledo look to be the ones I keep an eye on. Have not seen CMU yet...still wondering why Rob and Keno have not got EMU and CMU real competitive yet. I agree that the MAC seems to be moving in a good direction