I'll predict EMU and Toledo to play in either the finals or semis for the men.

I don't have a good read on the MAC East teams. I see no team which appears headed for a banner season. I'm definitely looking for the west to carry the banner this year.

For the women, the EMU women certainly deserve consideration based on their record, but I don't think they have been through the gauntlet (at least like their EMU men's counterparts) yet so they might not be as good as their record indicate.

A very good year for EMU basketball would be for both the men and women to be in the MAC finals.

A good year, both make the semi-finals.

I'm hoping to make my first trip to the tourney since it has been in CLE (I've done Detroit - Cobo Arena, Columbus and Toledo during the 90s).

(01-06-2014 09:06 AM)emu steve Wrote:  I'll predict EMU and Toledo to play in either the finals or semis for the men.

I don't have a good read on the MAC East teams. I see no team which appears headed for a banner season. I'm definitely looking for the west to carry the banner this year.

For the women, the EMU women certainly deserve consideration based on their record, but I don't think they have been through the gauntlet (at least like their EMU men's counterparts) yet so they might not be as good as their record indicate.

A very good year for EMU basketball would be for both the men and women to be in the MAC finals.

A good year, both make the semi-finals.

I'm hoping to make my first trip to the tourney since it has been in CLE (I've done Detroit - Cobo Arena, Columbus and Toledo during the 90s).

I think some East teams will improve dramatically in conference play on the men's side. Buffalo, Miami and BG will be low on the totem pole but the usual suspects are too well coached to not do well. In the West WMU wll compete w EMU and UT.

For the women I will say I'm very surprised at CMU's faltering. They didn't lose THAT much and Bradford is one of the best to ever play in the MAC. EMUs and BG are tops from what I see. UT is too thin with a bench full of frosh and much balleyhood BSU doesn't look like they're much better than last year. Akron might push BG but I don't see them making the finals.

(01-06-2014 09:27 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(01-06-2014 09:06 AM)emu steve Wrote:  I'll predict EMU and Toledo to play in either the finals or semis for the men.

I don't have a good read on the MAC East teams. I see no team which appears headed for a banner season. I'm definitely looking for the west to carry the banner this year.

For the women, the EMU women certainly deserve consideration based on their record, but I don't think they have been through the gauntlet (at least like their EMU men's counterparts) yet so they might not be as good as their record indicate.

A very good year for EMU basketball would be for both the men and women to be in the MAC finals.

A good year, both make the semi-finals.

I'm hoping to make my first trip to the tourney since it has been in CLE (I've done Detroit - Cobo Arena, Columbus and Toledo during the 90s).

I think some East teams will improve dramatically in conference play on the men's side. Buffalo, Miami and BG will be low on the totem pole but the usual suspects are too well coached to not do well. In the West WMU wll compete w EMU and UT.

For the women I will say I'm very surprised at CMU's faltering. They didn't lose THAT much and Bradford is one of the best to ever play in the MAC. EMUs and BG are tops from what I see. UT is too thin with a bench full of frosh and much balleyhood BSU doesn't look like they're much better than last year. Akron might push BG but I don't see them making the finals.

I agree someone or two teams have to break out of the MAC East simply playing each other someone will get hot and someone cold and they will sort themselves out.

I've seen Bradford play a few times and she has big time abilities. I wonder about CMU's locker room, etc. I wonder about the chemistry between the coach and players and between the players. I just don't have good vibes about this team. Compare with EMU:

From what I've seen the EMU's women's coach, Verdi, apparently is very cool, low keyed type coach. I would think he is a big + for the team.

I'll play, even though predicting this conference always seems to be an exercise in futility. I will say Ive seen more of the east than the west. The West seems top heavy to me, while the East is deeper. I wouldn't be surprised to see an of 6 or 7 teams who could win the tourney. Much different than last years two horse race. I'll guess a finish of:

1. Toledo - Kowalczyk is a heck of a coach and should keep them playing at a high level.
2. Ohio - Hoping they play more like they did on the road recently (Richmond / UNCA) vs early (Oakland). Losing Johnson will hurt the team's D.
3. Akron - Dambrot should get them playing well when they need to. I like their size up front.
4. Eastern Michigan - Tough for me to predict. toughest schedule with UK, Duke & Syracuse, but seemed like a lot of non-D1 too. No great wins, no bad losses. Do have good wins vs. CSU and @ Oakland.
5. Kent - Have the potential to finish higher. I really like watching Derek Jackson play.
6. WMU - I think Whittington's number will improve the rest of the season.
7. Buffalo - I want to see how McRea's supporting cast do in conference, especially Freelove. Surprised Regan is only averaging 9 points a game.
8. BG
9. Miami
10. NIU
11. BSU
12. CMU

One thing about the last EMU game, vs. NAIA Rochester.

We played them early last season and won 66 - 52. Hardly a convincing win.

Yesterday, we were rolling (except for treys) and completely dominated them.

This team has been through the gauntlet and looks to be in fine form and very deep. This team could actually go 12 or 13 deep.

(01-06-2014 09:27 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(01-06-2014 09:06 AM)emu steve Wrote:  I'll predict EMU and Toledo to play in either the finals or semis for the men.

I don't have a good read on the MAC East teams. I see no team which appears headed for a banner season. I'm definitely looking for the west to carry the banner this year.

For the women, the EMU women certainly deserve consideration based on their record, but I don't think they have been through the gauntlet (at least like their EMU men's counterparts) yet so they might not be as good as their record indicate.

A very good year for EMU basketball would be for both the men and women to be in the MAC finals.

A good year, both make the semi-finals.

I'm hoping to make my first trip to the tourney since it has been in CLE (I've done Detroit - Cobo Arena, Columbus and Toledo during the 90s).

I think some East teams will improve dramatically in conference play on the men's side. Buffalo, Miami and BG will be low on the totem pole but the usual suspects are too well coached to not do well. In the West WMU wll compete w EMU and UT.

For the women I will say I'm very surprised at CMU's faltering. They didn't lose THAT much and Bradford is one of the best to ever play in the MAC. EMUs and BG are tops from what I see. UT is too thin with a bench full of frosh and much balleyhood BSU doesn't look like they're much better than last year. Akron might push BG but I don't see them making the finals.

Faltering? Based on their record? They played the #1 OOC SOS in the nation. I'd be surprised if CMU women aren't MAC champs again this year and next, when Bradford's a senior.

(01-06-2014 12:48 PM)CMUprof Wrote:  

(01-06-2014 09:27 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(01-06-2014 09:06 AM)emu steve Wrote:  I'll predict EMU and Toledo to play in either the finals or semis for the men.

I don't have a good read on the MAC East teams. I see no team which appears headed for a banner season. I'm definitely looking for the west to carry the banner this year.

For the women, the EMU women certainly deserve consideration based on their record, but I don't think they have been through the gauntlet (at least like their EMU men's counterparts) yet so they might not be as good as their record indicate.

A very good year for EMU basketball would be for both the men and women to be in the MAC finals.

A good year, both make the semi-finals.

I'm hoping to make my first trip to the tourney since it has been in CLE (I've done Detroit - Cobo Arena, Columbus and Toledo during the 90s).

I think some East teams will improve dramatically in conference play on the men's side. Buffalo, Miami and BG will be low on the totem pole but the usual suspects are too well coached to not do well. In the West WMU wll compete w EMU and UT.

For the women I will say I'm very surprised at CMU's faltering. They didn't lose THAT much and Bradford is one of the best to ever play in the MAC. EMUs and BG are tops from what I see. UT is too thin with a bench full of frosh and much balleyhood BSU doesn't look like they're much better than last year. Akron might push BG but I don't see them making the finals.

Faltering? Based on their record? They played the #1 OOC SOS in the nation. I'd be surprised if CMU women aren't MAC champs again this year and next, when Bradford's a senior.

Another killer schedule. That is WORSE than the EMU men's because they don't have MAC-caliber games interspersed with the nationally ranked opponents. (E.g., EMU had games vs. WI-GB and Oakland before Duke and 'Cuse).

http://www.cmuchippewas.com/SportSchedul...M_ID=10500

(01-06-2014 12:48 PM)CMUprof Wrote:  

(01-06-2014 09:27 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(01-06-2014 09:06 AM)emu steve Wrote:  I'll predict EMU and Toledo to play in either the finals or semis for the men.

I don't have a good read on the MAC East teams. I see no team which appears headed for a banner season. I'm definitely looking for the west to carry the banner this year.

For the women, the EMU women certainly deserve consideration based on their record, but I don't think they have been through the gauntlet (at least like their EMU men's counterparts) yet so they might not be as good as their record indicate.

A very good year for EMU basketball would be for both the men and women to be in the MAC finals.

A good year, both make the semi-finals.

I'm hoping to make my first trip to the tourney since it has been in CLE (I've done Detroit - Cobo Arena, Columbus and Toledo during the 90s).

I think some East teams will improve dramatically in conference play on the men's side. Buffalo, Miami and BG will be low on the totem pole but the usual suspects are too well coached to not do well. In the West WMU wll compete w EMU and UT.

For the women I will say I'm very surprised at CMU's faltering. They didn't lose

THAT much and Bradford is one of the best to ever play in the MAC. EMUs and BG are tops from what I see. UT is too thin with a bench full of frosh and much balleyhood BSU doesn't look like they're much better than last year. Akron might push BG but I don't see them making the finals.

Faltering? Based on their record? They played the #1 OOC SOS in the nation. I'd be surprised if CMU women aren't MAC champs again this year and next, when Bradford's a senior.

It's relative I suppose but I saw them as potential Top 25. I also picked them as easy MAC champs. I don't think it will be as easy as I thought.

Here are my predictions
1. Toledo- you don't go 12-1 by accident. plus the rest of the MAC hasn't really given a reason why they are better than the Rockets
2. Buffalo-this team have enough talent to got hot and win the East
3. Akron- My gut say Treadwell, Diggs and what else they parade in the paint eats up Ohio and Kent State inside
4. EMU- They got talent only concern is the poor fan support doesn't give them a true home advantage. That will cost them the bye
5. Ohio-Bobcats may have an average team but Christian is likely worth a couple wins keep them from slumping to much
6. WMU-a bit under the radar but enough there to be a darkhorse
7. Kent St- dangerous team, They could win the east, or they get stuck in the middle
8. Miami-They will be a surprise in conference play
9. BGSU- this team just doesn't have enough firepower to be a serious contender
10. NIU- They are better,but haven't beaten good teams yet
11. CMU-Big disappointment
12. Ball State- one of the worst teams in the MAC ever. They have 1 win over a d-I teams and they didn't play that hard a schedule

(01-06-2014 09:33 PM)OhioBobcatJohn Wrote:  12. Ball State- one of the worst teams in the MAC ever. They have 1 win over a d-I teams and they didn't play that hard a schedule

Have you seen NIU the last few years or Toledo during the Cross years?

I haven't paid attention to BSU this year but if that is true, it is saying a lot.

I'll be very happy if we do well enough to host a MAC tourney game and get to Cleveland. Can't ask for much more than that, though it's well within reach with Willie Moore back.

As one who hasn't been to the tourney, when do the tixs go on sale and how much are the passes for the games in CLE?

(01-07-2014 07:20 AM)emu steve Wrote:  As one who hasn't been to the tourney, when do the tixs go on sale and how much are the passes for the games in CLE?

I usually don't buy the whole season pass. I will buy the tickets for the sessions with Ohio though the Ohio Ticket Office. For the other sessions, I just go up to the will call tables for the other schools playing and see which of them is selling them the cheapest. Obviously this wouldn't really work for the finals.

(01-07-2014 08:08 AM)Eagle66 Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 07:20 AM)emu steve Wrote:  As one who hasn't been to the tourney, when do the tixs go on sale and how much are the passes for the games in CLE?

I usually don't buy the whole season pass. I will buy the tickets for the sessions with Ohio though the Ohio Ticket Office. For the other sessions, I just go up to the will call tables for the other schools playing and see which of them is selling them the cheapest. Obviously this wouldn't really work for the finals.

One bit of advice is do NOT buy tickets from the arena ticket office or you will be charged some local Cleveland (not sales) tax or fee that is specifically levied just on ticket sales----at least that is how it worked for the past two years. Buy them thru the schools, either in advance or at the arena as suggested in the post above and you can avoid that fee.