As the Mid-American Conference opened up conference play in men's basketball last week, it is clear to see which division is stronger.
The East Division has four undefeated teams in conference play, with Miami (3-0 MAC) leading Ohio, Akron, and Kent State (all 2-0).
Miami has played a difficult non-conference schedule, losing to Alabama, Xavier, Cincinnati, Wichita State, and Michigan - all have winning records and Alabama was ranked at the time of their game - but the RedHawks have rebounded nicely, winning close games over Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan to jump to the front of the line in the East. Miami stands at 6-5 overall.
As expected, the Akron Zips are also among the head of the class in the MAC East. They are led by last week's East Division Player of the Week Romeo Travis, who averaged 19 points and six rebounds in wins over Ball State and Toledo. The Zips are 8-3, which includes a loss to Louisville, one of the top-ranked teams in the nation. They needed a superb effort by Travis - who had 28 points and seven rebounds - to rally to a 66-62 win over Ball State, and followed that up with a 75-58 thrashing of the Rockets.
Led by Jay Youngblood, the Kent State Golden Flashes are another team out to a 2-0 start in the conference after wins over Toledo and Central Michigan. Youngblood is averaging 14.6 points and is shooting 48 percent for Kent State.
Akron will look to remain undefeated tonight at Western Michigan, while the other three unbeatens will be in action Wednesday.
Women's basketball opens MAC play
On Saturday night, MAC play began in women's basketball and, to no one's surprise, Bowling Green rolled.
Ali Mann scored 25 points to become the 19th player in school history to reach the 1,000-point career mark as the defending MAC tournament champions cruised to a 71-54 victory over Akron.
The Falcons are out to a 10-2 start to their season as they try to defend their title.
Behind MAC West Division Player of the Week Ryan Coleman's 19 points, the Eastern Michigan Eagles walked all over Northern Illinois, 73-59. Coleman was one of four Eagles to score in double figures.
Jamie Schiebner scored the last three points of the game to help Buffalo knock off Miami 78-75. That game was the RedHawks' first loss in a conference opener in five seasons.
Danielle Bishop scored six of her 19 points in overtime to propel the Toledo Rockets to an 83-79 overtime victory over Ball State in the weekend's closest contest. It was Toledo's third overtime game thus far this season.
Coming off the bench, Kent State's Rachel Bennett was named MAC East Division Player of the Week for her performance against Ohio in an 83-73 win. Averaging six points prior to yesterday's game, Bennett poured in 23, including making all six of her free throws and three-of-five shots from behind the arc.
- Jason Fazzone
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Jason Fazzone
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Ball State's D'Andre Peyton, center, scored 14 points in Wednesday night's 66-62 loss to Akron in Muncie, Ind. Peyton fouled out after 26 minutes of play.
