In the opening games of the Mid-American Conference tournament, there is little time for reflection on the regular season. For some teams, the past is completely forgotten. For others, past success has eased their path to the future. Regardless of the scenario, the trophy shines the same for everyone.
Four MAC-East squads earned first-round byes in the tournament. Akron, Buffalo, Ohio and Kent State had good enough conference records to escape the tournament’s first slate of games.
Given an extra week of preparation, it is expected that these teams will come out strong in their first games. Similar to the regular season, experience should also factor into a team’s success.
With three seniors on its roster, youth seems to be the lone obstacle in the way of the Zips’ continued postseason success. Awarded with the first seed, Akron has a bye until the semifinals.
Kent State, another younger squad, has a free pass to the quarterfinals where it will face a MAC-West team.
Kent State’s narrowest interdivisional victory came against Eastern Michigan, the MAC West’s top team during the regular season. In their last encounter, the Golden Flashes topped the Eagles 62-58, though they had trouble controlling Eastern Michigan’s Darrel Lampley who finished the game with 18 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.
Because the Golden Flashes went undefeated against opponents from the West division during the regular season, history projects they will meet the Zips in the semifinal matchup on March 9.
Second-seeded Buffalo also has a bye until the semifinals. In the event that Ohio, the third seed, advances through the quarterfinal, the Bobcats will play the Bulls for a ticket to the championship game.
In the MAC West, some teams with less wins have altered their perspective on the postseason.
“The way we gauge success is by answering one question,” Western Michigan coach Steve Hawkins said. “Have we played the best we can play? If we do that, it has nothing to do with wins or losses. We just try and control what we are capable of controlling.”
Noting the change of intensity in the tournament, Hawkins offered what he believed to be the key for each team in the conference.
“Concentrate on every possession, every minute,” Hawkins said. “If you’re concentrating on what you’re supposed to be doing in that minute, that will be critical for any team.”
