With the last batch of regular-season games tipping off tonight, it's time to take a look at where teams might end up in the Mid-American Conference Tournament bracket.
This year, the teams will be seeded first through 12th without regard for division. Please note that the listed ranking is the tournament seeding if the tournament started today. This is not the same as my weekly conference power rankings.
Team: Toledo — Record: 21-7, 13-2 MAC — Current Seed: No. 1
Win or lose, the Rockets are locked into the top spot in the tournament. Even with a loss to division rival Central Michigan tonight, Toledo will still be ranked higher than Bowling Green because of its one-point win Jan. 26. With a first-round bye, the Rockets can rest for a day or two before packing their bags for Cleveland.
Team: Bowling Green — Record: 24-4, 12-3 MAC — Current Seed: No. 2
The Falcons can clinch a share of the MAC regular-season title for the seventh consecutive season with a win and a Rocket loss, but no matter what, they will be the second seed in Cleveland. Bowling Green rides a seven-game win streak into tonight's game against Buffalo.
Team: Central Michigan — Record: 19-8, 11-4 MAC — Current Seed: No. 3
The Chippewas are also locked into their seed. A win against Toledo will not propel Central Michigan past Bowling Green because the Falcons won the regular-season matchup. Tonight, the Chippewas look to improve to 8-2 in the MAC West by beating the Rockets for the second time this year.
Team: Kent State — Record: 19-8, 10-5 MAC — Current Seed: No. 4
Here's where all the fun starts. The Golden Flashes currently sit fourth in the conference but could fall to fifth if they lose and Eastern Michigan beats Western Michigan tonight. Either way, Kent State will stay in the Cleveland area. With a win or an Eagles loss, the Flashes will have the final bye and will not play until March 9. With a loss and Eagles win, they will host the loser of tonight's Ohio vs. Miami game in a first-round contest March 5.
Team: Eastern Michigan — Record: 18-11, 9-6 MAC — Current Seed: No. 5
The Eagles need a win and a Flashes loss to steal the final vacation pass. If both teams win, Eastern Michigan will finish in fifth. However, the Eagles might also fall to sixth place. A Buffalo win coupled with an Eastern Michigan loss would send the Eagles down a spot. If both teams lose, the Eagles will be fifth and the Bulls sixth. Like Kent State, Eastern Michigan will play the loser of the Miami vs. Ohio game if the Eagles end up fifth in the conference.
Team: Buffalo — Record: 15-13, 8-7 MAC — Current Seed: No. 6
The Bulls will finish in sixth unless they win and Eastern Michigan loses. A loss changes nothing, and wins by both squads will not result in a flip-flop. Buffalo will face Ohio, Miami or Ball State in the first round of the tournament.
Team: Akron — Record: 13-14, 6-9 MAC — Current Seed: No. 7
The Zips will host a game in the first round of the tourney. Akron will hang on to the seventh seed with a win or a Northern Illinois loss. If the Huskies win and the Zips lose, they will drop a spot to eighth. Possible first-round opponents include Western Michigan, Ball State and Miami.
Team: Northern Illinois — Record: 12-16, 6-9 MAC — Current Seed: No. 8
The Huskies could end up in seventh, eighth or ninth in the MAC. A win and an Akron loss would lift Northern Illinois to seventh. Nothing changes if both squads win. If the Huskies lose and Western Michigan wins, they will sink to ninth and will have to travel for a first-round matchup. If both the Huskies and the Broncos lose, Northern Illinois will stay in eighth. The team might face Western Michigan, Ball State, Miami or Akron.
Team: Western Michigan — Record: 9-19, 5-10 MAC — Current Seed: No. 9
The Broncos have charged back to keep their hopes of hosting a MAC Tournament game alive. With a win and a Northern Illinois loss, they will reach that goal. If either stipulation fails, the Huskies will stay put in ninth. Northern Illinois might play Akron or Northern Illinois.
Team: Ball State — Record: 9-19, 4-11 MAC — Current Seed: No. 10
The Cardinals will hold on to the 10th seed in the tournament unless they lose and Ohio beats Miami tonight. Ball State will be traveling regardless of where it is 10th or 11th in the MAC. Potential first-round opponents include Eastern Michigan, Buffalo, Akron and Eastern Michigan.
Team: Ohio — Record: 7-21, 3-12 MAC — Current Seed: No. 11
The Bobcats will be the 11th seed if they win and Ball State wins. If the Cardinals lose and the Bobcats win, they will be 10th. If Ohio loses, it will be the 12th seed regardless. The team will visit Kent State, Eastern Michigan, Buffalo, Akron or Northern Illinois.
Team: Miami — Record: 11-17, 3-12 MAC — Current Seed: No. 12
With a loss, Miami will stay in the cellar. If the RedHawks win they will jump to11th. Miami will travel to play either Kent State, Eastern Michigan or Buffalo March 5.
