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Bracket Buster Weekend Preview

Earlier this year I posted a list of games Potential MAC Statement Games where I made note of any games where a MAC team was matched-up with a “big-name” conference opponent. While I realize not all fans of MAC schools are big fans of all conference teams, I do feel that there is a strong contingent of fans who are loyal to the conference. While these fans love their school, they also root for other MAC schools in all Out-of-Conference games. Loyal fans root for the conference because they understand the big-picture, and the success of the conference’s importance in benefiting their school.

So after BG’s surprising win over Virginia Tech (ACC) back in November, I thought a list of potential statement games was in order. While the results have not been as positive as anyone affiliated with the conference would have wanted, this weekend’s Bracket Buster games present a unique opportunity for the MAC to make a clear, bold statement to the rest of the world of college basketball. Here are the VanDelay Importance Rankings for this weekend:

#1
Akron (19-5, 12-2 MAC, RPI 69) @ Nevada (19-5, 9-3 WAC, RPI 30) – Friday @ 9pm ET - ESPNU

Comments: The Zips have been solid all season long with their 5 losses being to strong opponents (@ California – RPI 53, @ Louisville – 62, vs. Clemson - 57 in the San Juan Shootout, @ Ohio – 111 and @ Kent – 86). Akron has the best, if not only, chance for the MAC to send an at-large team to the NCAA Tournament, but this win is a must to make more of a name for them nationally. Nevada has won 6 straight and last played on Monday while Akron has won 3 straight and 6 of 7, defeating BG on Tuesday night.

#2
Kent State (17-7, 11-2 MAC, RPI 98) vs. Butler (16-9, 9-4 Horizon, RPI 83) – Saturday @ 12:30 pm ET – ESPNU

Comments: Butler comes in winners of 7 of their past 8 games while the Golden Flashes have won 4 of 6 after a 7-0 start in the MAC. Kent was extremely unimpressive in the OOC schedule going 6-5 which is why they are not getting as much attention as in years past, but we’re still wondering what are they putting in the water at Kent State? Neither team has much hope left for an at-large bid, but since this is one of two nationally-televised ESPNU games and in Kent, a win for the Golden Flashes and the MAC is quite important.

#3
Buffalo (16-9, 6-8 MAC, RPI 135) @ Iona (19-5, 13-3 Metro Atlantic, RPI 67) – Saturday @ 12 pm ET – ESPN 360

Comments: The early season critics of the Bulls said that their 10-1 OOC record was because the schedule was filled with cupcakes. Unfortunately for the Bulls they have done little to disprove that claim as they have lost 5 of their last 6 games en route to a 6-8 MAC record. Playing Iona offers Buffalo a chance to show the strength of the Mid-American Conference this year and a great opportunity for UB to move up considerably in the RPI. The Gaels have stumbled of late, winning just 4 of their last 6 games, but they have won 3 straight and maintained a solid RPI ranking of #67; better than any MAC team this season.

#4
Ohio (14-8, 8-6 MAC, RPI 111) vs. Samford (16-8, 12-5 OVC, RPI 110) - Saturday @ 8 pm ET – ESPN 360

Comments: The Bobcats, once picked as ESPN’s “It” team as a non-Top 25 team with the potential to make a run in March could be in shambles in the eyes of some. With recent reports that PG Jeremy Fears is taking the remainder of the season off, and looking to transfer after the school year, some may write Ohio off entirely. But the rest of the team remains intact and backup PG Antonio Chatman has stepped it up for the Bobcats, recording 5 or more assists in 6 of the last 7 games. If Chatman can continue his recent solid play the Bobcats will not be a team anyone wants to face the remainder of this season. The Bobcats come in losers of 5 of their last 7 games while the Bulldogs have lost 3 of 5 after a 9-2 start in the Horizon League.

#5
Northern Illinois (13-9, 8-6 MAC, RPI 122) @ Winthrop (17-6, 11-2 Big South, RPI 87) – Saturday 2:30 pm ET

Comments: The streaky Huskies come in with two straight losses on the road after a 4 game winning streak, while Winthrop comes in winners of 5 of their last 7, after a 6-0 start in Big South play. Winthrop’s 11-2 Big South record has them tied for 1 st place with Birmingham Southern, while Northern Illinois is leading the MAC West at 8-6. NIU is 4-6 against RPI Top 150 teams this season; the Eagles are 3-4.

#6
Miami (14-8, 11-3 MAC, RPI 80) vs. Illinois State (9-15, 4-12 MVC, RPI 203) – Saturday 4:30 pm ET

Comments: The RedHawks have been outstanding in MAC play but have the most interesting of the match-ups this weekend. Miami is given a much lower ranked opponent, albeit out of the strong Missouri Valley Conference. The RedHawks have a lot to lose in this game simply because a loss to Illinois State would severely hurt the MAC in comparison to the MVC (the MVC has already dominated the MAC in OOC play). With Illinois State being a lower-tier MVC team and Miami being a upper-tier MAC team, the RedHawks need to do us all a favor and take care of business.

#7
Western Michigan (11-13, 8-6 MAC, RPI 165) vs. Indiana State (11-13, 4-12 MVC, RPI 129) – Saturday 2 pm ET

Comments: Indiana State appeared to be the best team in the state of Indiana this year after beating Indiana, Ball State and Butler, but they have stumbled badly in the Missouri Valley Conference. After the 7-1 OOC start the Sycamores are just 4-12 in the MVC. WMU has been fortunate to play in the weaker MAC West but has been solid at home on the season going 6-1 at home in MAC play.

#8
Toledo (13-9, 6-8 MAC, RPI 169) @ Detroit (13-14, 7-7 Horizon, RPI 197) – Saturday 4:05 pm ET

Comments: The Rockets come into the game having won 3 straight and are 7-1 in OOC play. Detroit has been up and down all season and is 1-2 against the MAC this season beating EMU and WMU and falling to Ohio. In last season’s Bracket Buster game Detroit led almost the entire game until a Jeremy Fears 3-pointer at the buzzer won the game for Ohio.

#9
Bowling Green (9-15, 5-9 MAC, RPI 227) vs. Wright State (12-12, 8-6 Horizon, RPI 171) – Saturday 3:30 pm ET

Comments: Both teams seem to be headed in opposite directions as the Falcons come in losers of 5 of their last 6 while Wright State has won 4 of their last 6 games. The Falcons have gone 5-5 at home and 4-10 away from Anderson Arena while the Raiders are 2-9 on the road and 0-5 in OOC play on the road.

#10
Ball State (9-13, 5-9 MAC, RPI 213) vs. Tennessee State (10-13, 9-8 OVC, RPI 237) – Saturday 4 pm ET

Comments: After starting 0-5 against the MAC East the Cardinals have played above .500 ball in their last 9 games. Overall, the Cardinals have won 6 of their 8 games on the season at home. Tennessee State is 2-9 on the road this season and 0-4 on the road in OOC play.

#11
Eastern Michigan (5-17, 2-12 MAC, RPI 304) @ Eastern Illinois (6-18, 5-13 OVC, RPI 299) – 4 pm ET

Comments: Along with the CMU game, this game is more important to the conference from a national perspective than it is to the schools involved. None of the 4 teams involved in the #11 and #12 games have anything but pride and respect on the line, but it would be great to see EMU and CMU pull off wins to help the MAC to a 8-4 or better record in Bracket Buster play. This would legitimize the chances of a MAC at-large bid, slim as those chances may be.

#12
Central Michigan (3-19, 1-13 MAC, RPI 305) vs. Morehead State (4-19, 3-14 OVC, RPI 316) – 2 pm ET

Comments: Insert Morehead State school name joke here.

Wrap-Up: MAC teams have some very interesting match-ups in the 2006 Bracket Buster weekend with a lot to gain; or lose. Overall, here’s the conference opponent breakdown:

4 – Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) - #19

3 – Horizon League - #15

2 – Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) - #6

1 – Western Athletic Conference (WAC) - #11

1 – Big South Conference - #22

1 – Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) - #12

By Michael Shull, VanDelaySports.com Guest Writer

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