As much as I would like to think Ohio should get two on the first team, I would be silly to not remember this is the MAC media we are dealing with. I wouldn't be surprised if neither Jaaron or Tony made first team. Who knows when dealing with this stuff.

I agree on Treg though. An MIP award is definitely deserved.

They have to give POY to Tony Campbell. Normally I would worry about them doing what they've done so many times before, giving it to the best player on the best team...but any Akron player would be a big stretch statistically. Isiaih Johnson would be the closest, and he averages 13 & 7. I don't see how they could give it to him when the #2 seed has a guy that averaged 18 & 10.

The 2 biggest challenges in my eyes are from weaker teams, Nathan Boothe of Toledo and James Thompson from EMU. Thompson will be frosh of the year and although dominant, I don't think dominant enough to get the rare freshman POY. He averages 15 per game, but does it on much less shooting at the conference leader in FG % and the only player to outrebound TC at 10.5. I wouldn't be overly disgusted if they did give it to Thompson. Boothe scores more than anyone at 19.4, but he has taken 120 more shots than Campbell.

Simmons should be on first team due to his assist dominance allowing, averaging 7.7 almost 2 full assists more than anyone else in the conference. Add to that a top 10 scorer and FG % and I don't see how you can keep him off. If not, he'll be on 2nd team for sure.

Dartis is an obvious all frosh selection.

Block may get some consideration as 6th man but I doubt he gets it, but I don't have a great sense of who is considered the 6th man around the league. I think it is kind of weird that this is an award.

Phillips has a great shot at Coach of the year but I think James Whitford is probably more likely given Ball State was 2-16 last year. I'd be fine with either, and Dambrot wouldn't upset me much either...too often this award ignore the solid and steady coach.

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure we don't have any candidates for the defensive team this season.

Yes I meant double-double for Thompson. There is no way that Boothe or Thompson gets Player of the Year over Big Tone. I just can't see it. Boothe was good but didn't lead his team to more than a .500 MAC record. I don't know if there's an MIP award or sixth man. Jorday is almost certain All-Rookie. And I agree that even better than awards is advancing. I would love to get to the finals and anything more would be icing.

Isaiah Johnson and Raven Lee both only started a handful of games in conference games. If eligible obviously Johnson would win it IMO.

I'll live with Fowler over Simmons for 1st team, but no way would I take him on my team over Simmons. I thought missing the first 7 games of the season would hurt him, but I suppose they rate conference play much higher overall. He was the runner-up to Simmons in assists and scored more per game (thanks to hoisting many more shots).

Congrats to Tony/Jaaron & Jordy!

Yea it played out pretty much as I figured, especially for OUr guys, but I agree I didn't think IJ was a first teamer. I predict this is the only year Jaaron will be left off the first team.

You're going to love it when he wins MAC POY.

Other than Johnson the biggest gripe I see is Lamonte Bearden making 3rd team over Eric Washington. Bearden only played in about half the conference games and Washington owned him in their only meeting. Bearden got that off of last year.

It's not a bad list. I agree there are a few quibbles, but nothing egregious. For POY oddsmakers out there, EA seems to tip his vote toward Boothe in his little slideshow:

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/03/mac_pla...

No way. To quote another prognosticator, this doesn't pass the eye test.

Here's my problem with 1st, 2nd, 3rd teams etc:

They aren't what is in reality an actual team. This year's MAC first team probably couldn't beat the second team because they're all basically 4's and 5's besides Fowler. Each team ought to reasonably include at least two bigs and two guards, i.e. positions a normal team might put on the floor. This isn't the POY voting for best player, even if the best players this year might be dominated by bigs.

It happens every year, it's not that big of a deal, but it still bugs me.

So are special awards for men.

http://mac-sports.com/news/2016/3/8/MBB_0308162522.aspx

OK, so here's the problem. How in the world does Johnson get 6th man of the year and make first team All-MAC? That shouldn't be a thing.

And apparently Jordy wasn't even in the running for Freshman of the Year.