After a grueling 16-game conference slate, the favorites are well defined. Parity in the middle of the league's standings, however, has some Mid-American Conference coaches believing that anything can happen in March.
When the hunt for the MAC women's basketball crown and a spot in the NCAA field of 64 begins Saturday, Miami, Eastern Michigan and Kent State will be expected to contend for the title. What is unexpected is which lower seed will have the right ingredients to challenge the big three.
At this time of the year
everyone is on even ground Miami coach Maria Fantanarosa said. The records are thrown out and everyone starts 0-0.
Miami, Eastern Michigan and Kent State have earned first-round byes and advancement to the quarterfinals at Gund Arena in Cleveland. The remaining teams will vie for a spot in Cleveland on Saturday with games being played at the higher seed's home court.
You have to get that first one and get to Cleveland
Marshall coach Royce Chadwick said. If you get to Cleveland
everyone is a twisted ankle and foul trouble away from going home.
Fantanarosa's RedHawks (20-7 overall, 14-2 MAC) coasted through the conference, earning the top seed and a first-round bye. Despite its success in the regular season, Fantanarosa said Miami still might not be the favorite.
I think we're going to be the surprise team
she said. I don't believe the team has earned the respect of our conference.
With the No. 1 seed and a target on its back, Fantanarosa said her very humble
very realistic team is not worried about postseason pressure.
I wouldn't call it pressure; I'd call it an opportunity
she said. It's a credit to your team to play hard for 16 games and get that top seed.
Despite winning 20 games, the RedHawks likely need to win the conference tournament to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Write it down
you go into the MAC Tournament
one team is going to the NCAAs
Chadwick said. It would take a major miracle for two teams to come out of this league and go to the NCAAs. That's part of being in the MAC.
Without the cushion of an at-large bid in hand, the conference tournament becomes that much more important.
Everybody's going to play hard
