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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: AROUND THE MAC
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OhioBobcat
1/28/2026 8:40 AM
CatsUp wrote:expand_more
I just wish someone would inform Miami that despite the 9,000 plus bat-crazy fans, including the speedo-clad group reveal in the second half that helped change the momentum of the game, and national attention, these games don’t mean anything. It’s ALL about March baby!!!
That is so absolutely false in Miami’s case right now! You do realize that if they don’t win the MAC Tournament (my money is still on Akron to do that), they’re also fighting and are in line for the MAC’s first at-large big since Miami earned one way back in 1999! The MAC has been desperately, desperately fighting to get another at-large bid and Miami has as good of a shot at it since Buffalo did several years ago. Every game matters for Miami right now in relation to that. Any loss they get will be a reason the NCAA Tournament committee will use to not put them in if they fall short in Cleveland. Rival aside - the entire MAC is a Miami fan from that standpoint.
Last Edited: 1/28/2026 8:45:08 AM by OhioBobcat
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FearLeon
1/28/2026 8:48 AM
OhioBobcat wrote:expand_more
I just wish someone would inform Miami that despite the 9,000 plus bat-crazy fans, including the speedo-clad group reveal in the second half that helped change the momentum of the game, and national attention, these games don’t mean anything. It’s ALL about March baby!!!
That is so absolutely false in Miami’s case right now! You do realize that if they don’t win the MAC Tournament (my money is still on Akron to do that), they’re also fighting and are in line for the MAC’s first at-large big since Miami earned one way back in 1999! The MAC has been desperately, desperately fighting to get another at-large bid and Miami has as good of a shot at it since Buffalo did several years ago. Every game matters for Miami right now in relation to that. Any loss they get will be a reason the NCAA Tournament committee will use to not put them in if they fall short in Cleveland. Rival aside - the entire MAC is a Miami fan from that standpoint.
I could be wrong, but I think CatsUp is being sarcastic. At least I hope he is.
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shabamon
1/28/2026 8:52 AM
CatsUp wrote:expand_more
I just wish someone would inform Miami that despite the 9,000 plus bat-crazy fans, including the speedo-clad group reveal in the second half that helped change the momentum of the game, and national attention, these games don’t mean anything. It’s ALL about March baby!!!
And what would that do? What do you want from them? To not have fun? If they win the MAC championship and maybe win one game in the NCAA Tournament, are you putting their season on the same pedestal as our 2009-2010 season? When we're sending Armon Bassett to the locker room and barely winning at a complete Toledo rebuild?

They packed the place all the way to the back walls at 9:00 on a Tuesday with the roads still bad. I'm watching clips from the crowd on Instagram after watching the game last night. Millett was legit! Those students get to enjoy a genuine unifying moment that involves part of their identity. No one's under any illusion that Miami will win the natty, so this is what's most important.

Consider this - at the end of the 2012 season, after the national title game, we were #25 in the country. The end of season poll is the one that matters the most, but it's also the least fun.

EDIT: if Catsup is being sarcastic, well done.
Last Edited: 1/28/2026 8:52:46 AM by shabamon
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CatsUp
1/28/2026 9:02 AM
Sarcasm? Oh, I don’t know. Maybe an 11 on a 0-10 scale.
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Andrew Ruck
1/28/2026 11:12 AM
I'll reiterate that this is the best shot the MAC has had at 2 bids in a long time. I am firm on Akron > Miami and would take them in a Championship game in Cleveland. The question becomes how many, if any, could Miami drop before that to still get at-large consideration? Is 33-1 only? Could they drop 1 to someone like us or Buffalo and get in at 32-2? Probably no consideration at 31-3.
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FearLeon
1/28/2026 2:04 PM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
I'll reiterate that this is the best shot the MAC has had at 2 bids in a long time. I am firm on Akron > Miami and would take them in a Championship game in Cleveland. The question becomes how many, if any, could Miami drop before that to still get at-large consideration? Is 33-1 only? Could they drop 1 to someone like us or Buffalo and get in at 32-2? Probably no consideration at 31-3.
32-2 does it. Too much national publicity up to this point. I would still argue 31-3 gets them in as well, but if that happens, I'd be nervous on Selection Sunday if I am a Redhawks fan.
Last Edited: 1/28/2026 2:04:23 PM by FearLeon
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CatsUp
1/28/2026 3:55 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
I'll reiterate that this is the best shot the MAC has had at 2 bids in a long time. I am firm on Akron > Miami and would take them in a Championship game in Cleveland. The question becomes how many, if any, could Miami drop before that to still get at-large consideration? Is 33-1 only? Could they drop 1 to someone like us or Buffalo and get in at 32-2? Probably no consideration at 31-3.
32-2 does it. Too much national publicity up to this point. I would still argue 31-3 gets them in as well, but if that happens, I'd be nervous on Selection Sunday if I am a Redhawks fan.
This is where I am as well although I’ll add they might have been better off in the long run if they had already had one of their two regular season losses (in a 31-3 scenario).
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OUcat
1/28/2026 10:11 PM
As of today 1/28/26 how do you rank the MAC teams this century slotting Miami 2026 into the NCAA Tournament.


2002 Kent State

2010 Ohio

2016 Buffalo

2026 Miami


I'm still pondering my own question. But right now I believe 2002 and 2026 teams played the rougher 'MAC' schedules with the difference being Kent played the tougher MAC teams of that era (BG, Miami, Ohio Marshall) twice while Miami (now that UB is fading and UMass is ???) only plays Akron-Kent once.

Still early though ...

To answer the question: I think 31-1 gets an at-large. I think 31-2 is dicy because one of those losses will definitely be to a plus-100 NET/Kenpom team with a 365 non-con SOS on top of that.

Not playing Kent-Akron twice is going to be a hurdle to the committee as an at-large.
Last Edited: 1/28/2026 10:17:47 PM by OUcat
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Brufus
1/28/2026 11:27 PM
OUcat wrote:expand_more
As of today 1/28/26 how do you rank the MAC teams this century slotting Miami 2026 into the NCAA Tournament.


2002 Kent State

2010 Ohio

2016 Buffalo

2026 Miami


I'm still pondering my own question. But right now I believe 2002 and 2026 teams played the rougher 'MAC' schedules with the difference being Kent played the tougher MAC teams of that era (BG, Miami, Ohio Marshall) twice while Miami (now that UB is fading and UMass is ???) only plays Akron-Kent once.

Still early though ...

To answer the question: I think 31-1 gets an at-large. I think 31-2 is dicy because one of those losses will definitely be to a plus-100 NET/Kenpom team with a 365 non-con SOS on top of that.

Not playing Kent-Akron twice is going to be a hurdle to the committee as an at-large.
Did you mean to rank the 2012 Ohio team instead? Personally I'd put that squad ahead of 2010.
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Andrew Ruck
1/29/2026 9:09 AM
Brufus wrote:expand_more
As of today 1/28/26 how do you rank the MAC teams this century slotting Miami 2026 into the NCAA Tournament.


2002 Kent State

2010 Ohio

2016 Buffalo

2026 Miami


I'm still pondering my own question. But right now I believe 2002 and 2026 teams played the rougher 'MAC' schedules with the difference being Kent played the tougher MAC teams of that era (BG, Miami, Ohio Marshall) twice while Miami (now that UB is fading and UMass is ???) only plays Akron-Kent once.

Still early though ...

To answer the question: I think 31-1 gets an at-large. I think 31-2 is dicy because one of those losses will definitely be to a plus-100 NET/Kenpom team with a 365 non-con SOS on top of that.

Not playing Kent-Akron twice is going to be a hurdle to the committee as an at-large.
Did you mean to rank the 2012 Ohio team instead? Personally I'd put that squad ahead of 2010.
He definitely did. We were 7-9 in the MAC in 2010.

The 2002 Kent team takes all the cake. I would also put 2016 Buffalo and 2012 Ohio over 2026 Miami.
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shabamon
1/29/2026 11:14 AM
2019 was Buffalo's big year. We beat them twice in the regular season in '16, including a 'can do no wrong' thrashing at their place, but they got us in the tournament.
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shabamon
1/29/2026 11:21 AM
I would throw 2013 Akron into this mix.

2026 Miami
2019 Buffalo
2013 Akron
2012 Ohio
2002 Kent

We're the weakest regular season in that bunch but absolutely were clicking in March.

2008 Kent is an honorable mention. Briefly appeared in the rankings and got a 9 seed in the dance.
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bobcatsquared
1/30/2026 6:28 PM
As Ohio basketball declines in the MAC standings and in attendance, there has been a small renaissance around the conference. While it's not what MAC basketball was before the turn of the century, this year has been the best basketball the league has seen in a decade or more. And MAC schools are seeing the occasional sellout or near sellout crowds.

Miami's success is well documented, UB has shown improvement in their coach's 3rd season, and gaining UMass while losing NIU is a net positive.

Miami will have multiple full houses, Kent did a week ago when Miami visited and Akron tonight with Kent visiting. Even CMU is expecting a sell out tomorrow with BG visiting.

Little steps perhaps, but it sure would be nice for Ohio to be a part of this revival.
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MonroeClassmate
1/30/2026 8:40 PM
Went to the JAR this evening. We play Zips and they make 80% of their early shots and tonight they had 10 points in 8 minutes and it wasn't because of the stellar Kent defense.

Oh well, it was amazing how the Flashes smoked the Zips on the offensive boards and still lost big! Shot 1 for 23 from three! We must have rubbed off on the Flashes in the Tuesday night tilt….

Gillespie is top big that I have seen in the MAC. He is third in scoring with 19.4 ppg and 1st in rebounding with 12.3 rpg. But the BIG news is the year over year improvement because last season he averaged 8.1 ppg and 8.1 rpg. He must have really put in the work over the summer!
Last Edited: 1/30/2026 9:41:06 PM by MonroeClassmate
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Andrew Ruck
1/31/2026 1:48 PM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
Even CMU is expecting a sell out tomorrow with BG visiting.
Uhhh....what?
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Pete Chouteau
1/31/2026 8:01 PM
Toilet Paper Toss. Sponsored by Meijer. A sanitized version of what they used to do EVERY. SINGLE. GAME. until technicals began being assessed.

I dispute this is a rebound year for the conference. Miami, Akron, maybe Kent... and then what? Ohio sitting at 6-5 and a 5 seed.
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BillyTheCat
2/1/2026 11:56 AM
OhioBobcat wrote:expand_more
I just wish someone would inform Miami that despite the 9,000 plus bat-crazy fans, including the speedo-clad group reveal in the second half that helped change the momentum of the game, and national attention, these games don’t mean anything. It’s ALL about March baby!!!
That is so absolutely false in Miami’s case right now! You do realize that if they don’t win the MAC Tournament (my money is still on Akron to do that), they’re also fighting and are in line for the MAC’s first at-large big since Miami earned one way back in 1999! The MAC has been desperately, desperately fighting to get another at-large bid and Miami has as good of a shot at it since Buffalo did several years ago. Every game matters for Miami right now in relation to that. Any loss they get will be a reason the NCAA Tournament committee will use to not put them in if they fall short in Cleveland. Rival aside - the entire MAC is a Miami fan from that standpoint.
+1
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CatsUp
2/1/2026 12:20 PM
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
I just wish someone would inform Miami that despite the 9,000 plus bat-crazy fans, including the speedo-clad group reveal in the second half that helped change the momentum of the game, and national attention, these games don’t mean anything. It’s ALL about March baby!!!
That is so absolutely false in Miami’s case right now! You do realize that if they don’t win the MAC Tournament (my money is still on Akron to do that), they’re also fighting and are in line for the MAC’s first at-large big since Miami earned one way back in 1999! The MAC has been desperately, desperately fighting to get another at-large bid and Miami has as good of a shot at it since Buffalo did several years ago. Every game matters for Miami right now in relation to that. Any loss they get will be a reason the NCAA Tournament committee will use to not put them in if they fall short in Cleveland. Rival aside - the entire MAC is a Miami fan from that standpoint.
+1
So glad my sarcasm is getting the attention it deserves. :)
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greencat
2/1/2026 7:27 PM
With the chump change out of conference schedule they played, I think one loss would make them lucky to get a play-in game in Dayton (which the NCAA would love because it would actually sell out) and more than one loss sends them to the NIT.

Other mid-majors played crappy OOC schedules and will be penalized for it. Belmont is 20-3. They didn't play anybody either pre-conference and still managed to lose one.

Between Steele being a former Xavier coach and his step-bro at Akron being a former Big Ten coach, fiami could have pulled strings to get ONE single lone decent OOC game. And all the "big teams won't play mid-majors" woe-is-me crap doesn't hold water.

OOC teams played this season by MAC teams NOT named Miami:

Louisville (x2), St. Mary's, Kansas State, Purdue (x2), Wisconsin (x3), Marquette, Michigan State, Ohio State, Iowa, Cincinnati, etc
Last Edited: 2/1/2026 7:28:37 PM by greencat
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Andrew Ruck
2/2/2026 8:13 AM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
Even CMU is expecting a sell out tomorrow with BG visiting.
Uhhh....what?
I do see attendance of 5,352 which is near their capacity. Do you know how or why this happened? They were 2-7 coming in, BG isn't exactly a marquee opponent, and it looks like they were consistently getting around 2k per game otherwise.
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SBH
2/2/2026 8:32 AM
4th Annual Toilet Paper Toss Game. Boy, those kids know how to have fun.
Last Edited: 2/2/2026 8:32:56 AM by SBH
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bobcatsquared
2/3/2026 9:16 PM
While watching Ohio handle an overmatched WMU on TV, I saw the ending of some nail biters in several other MAC games on the laptop.

Miami, taking everybody's best shot, slipped by UB by 2 as Sabol missed a game-winning 3 at the buzzer.

Akron got a 3 from Hardman with 10 sec. left to win by 2 at EMU.

And Kent, down by as much as 17 in the 2nd half at UT, won by 3.

Miami, now 23-0, visits Marshall Saturday in the MAC-Sun Belt challenge. Marshall is the last team I'd like to see put an end to the Redhawks' winning streak.
Last Edited: 2/3/2026 9:17:15 PM by bobcatsquared
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Bobcat Tattoo
2/3/2026 11:15 PM
Just skimming the box scores, and looks like there was a sharpshooting battle for the ages today at UMass:

Marcus Banks (UMass): 37 pts on 10/15 from 3
Logan McIntire (CMU): 40 pts on 12/16 from 3
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MonroeClassmate
2/4/2026 6:09 AM
Bobcat Tattoo wrote:expand_more
Just skimming the box scores, and looks like there was a sharpshooting battle for the ages today at UMass:

Marcus Banks (UMass): 37 pts on 10/15 from 3
Logan McIntire (CMU): 40 pts on 12/16 from 3
WoW!
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FearLeon
2/4/2026 7:38 AM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
While watching Ohio handle an overmatched WMU on TV, I saw the ending of some nail biters in several other MAC games on the laptop.

Miami, taking everybody's best shot, slipped by UB by 2 as Sabol missed a game-winning 3 at the buzzer.

Akron got a 3 from Hardman with 10 sec. left to win by 2 at EMU.

And Kent, down by as much as 17 in the 2nd half at UT, won by 3.

Miami, now 23-0, visits Marshall Saturday in the MAC-Sun Belt challenge. Marshall is the last team I'd like to see put an end to the Redhawks' winning streak.
As much as it pains me to say it, I really don't want Miami to lose before the Ohio game next week. Would at least love to get a chance to beat a nationally-ranked team. However big of a long-shot that will be.

I feel the Miami at Marshall game on Saturday is a tricky one for the Redhawks.
Last Edited: 2/4/2026 7:39:02 AM by FearLeon
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