A few weeks left, and we have some teams with respectable records. This finish should be a good one. Predicting a 3 loss team will be 1 seed, and a competitive group in the top.

1. Toledo 15-3 beat WMU and EMU @ UT (NOT PREDICTED UT loses at NIU)
2. Buffalo 14-4 win @Akron and OU, beat Akron @ UB
3. WMU 13-5 lose @ UT, lose vs. EMU @ WMU, win @ OU
4. Akron 13-5 win @ OU, lose @ UB, lose vs. UB @ Akron (NOT PREDICTED AKRON loses at Miami)
5. EMU 12-6 lose @ UT, win @ WMU(NOT PREDICTED EMU loes at NIU)
6. OU 11-7 lose vs. Buffalo @ OU, lose vs. WMU @ OU, lose @ Akron (NOT PREDICTED OU loses @ Kent)

I'm taking Toledo to win out because their tough games are at home where they are undefeated. I believe Buffalo is the team to be reckoned with though. Also going on a limb and predicting a fall off by OU late. Also no upsets the rest of the way with teams beneath the top 6.

Toledo fan picks Toledo.

Check.

For Toledo to win out and win those tough games, they better start playing some damn defense. That team isn't going anywhere in the postseason with the defense they play now.

I think we have as good of a chance at winning out as anyone. Our remaining schedule (save for NIU, who we haven't played yet) is against teams we've beat by double digits already. But I'm sure we have at least one, maybe two head-scratching losses left in us. I'll be satisfied with 12-6.

I don't think Toledo wins out. They could very well lose to either us or WMU, and I wouldn't sleep on the BG game either.

And Akron getting swept by Buffalo? That's a bit ballsy. I see a split.

As the win EMU had was nice and all, I dont see them winning at Savage. Especially with it being the last game of the year with everything on the line.

If its for the #1 seed, the city will show up for that and make Savage a 5pt advantage.

(02-18-2014 02:03 PM)rocketinchitown Wrote:  As the win EMU had was nice and all, I dont see them winning at Savage. Especially with it being the last game of the year with everything on the line.

If its for the #1 seed, the city will show up for that and make Savage a 5pt advantage.

On paper everything favors Toledo.

I would not be disappointed to see UT win out to that game and then not show up on the last day.

One thing to remember is that #1 and #2 seeds get 2 byes (no difference, other than #1 gets a guaranteed NIT bid, if needed) and that #3 and #4 get a bye (no distinction).

I don't see the 'regular season' MAC title meaning much.

(02-18-2014 01:27 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  2. Buffalo 14-4 win @Akron and OU, beat Akron @ UB

Buffalo has yet to get a road win against a team in the MAC with a winning conference record and has road losses to BG and Ball State and you think they are going to beat both Ohio (a team they just lost to at home) and Akron on the road?

I think when all is said and done Toledo (by far the easiest remaining schedule) takes the #1 seed and Akron (play four of last five at home) takes the #2.

If Ohio can manage to grab one of the top 4 seeds they are going to be a handful in Cleveland because they literally couldn't have played a tougher schedule than they have. They are the only team to play Toledo, Akron, Western and Buffalo twice each and their matchup with Eastern was a road game. Needless to say they are battle tested.

(02-18-2014 02:37 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(02-18-2014 02:03 PM)rocketinchitown Wrote:  As the win EMU had was nice and all, I dont see them winning at Savage. Especially with it being the last game of the year with everything on the line.

If its for the #1 seed, the city will show up for that and make Savage a 5pt advantage.

On paper everything favors Toledo.

I would not be disappointed to see UT win out to that game and then not show up on the last day.

One thing to remember is that #1 and #2 seeds get 2 byes (no difference, other than #1 gets a guaranteed NIT bid, if needed) and that #3 and #4 get a bye (no distinction).

I don't see the 'regular season' MAC title meaning much.

This has to be one of the most dynamic and exciting races in the MAC, and not just because Toledo is in it, but it seems half the MAC can beat anybody any day, home or away.

WMU has a touch schedule with OU, EMU and @ UT left while UT's hardest game to pinpoint is @ BGSU but gets to host WMU and EMU in what should be a very amped up arena.

I can see EMU finishing ahead of WMU truthfully but it depends how WMU shows up.

Akron and Buffalo should go man to man, but I think Akron has the experience that other programs in the MAC besides OU have, tournament and championship experience.

If Akron can get back Harney and McAdams in the next few games I like our chances. It sucks not having them but the good thing is that both of our freshmen are getting valuable PT they wouldn't have gotten otherwise. Akron does have a favorable schedule but they have not shown the ability to put any team away and every game comes down to the last few minutes. Not a good way to play.

Just like WMU and EMU fans seem to think Toledo isn't that great, my perception of Akron is that they aren't that great because of how we played them in the JAR. Hence my bias taking Buffalo over Akron. Their point margin also impresses me. OU lost their pg and that's why I have them losing some down the stretch. If he isn't out indefinitely I would change my predictions. Haven't heard since the night OU lost to UT.

(02-18-2014 01:51 PM)inductchuck16 Wrote:  For Toledo to win out and win those tough games, they better start playing some damn defense. That team isn't going anywhere in the postseason with the defense they play now.

Unfortunately it was the Rockets' poor shooting and stupid turnovers that lost the game @ EMU.

(02-19-2014 10:48 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(02-18-2014 01:51 PM)inductchuck16 Wrote:  For Toledo to win out and win those tough games, they better start playing some damn defense. That team isn't going anywhere in the postseason with the defense they play now.

Unfortunately it was the Rockets' poor shooting and stupid turnovers that lost the game @ EMU.

On a day when their shooting was way off, their defense could not help them one bit. This is the problem I have with Toledo.

Taylor is out for OU? I saw he was injured at the UT game but had no idea it was serious. Sorry to hear that. Injuries are taking a toll on the Bobcats.

(02-19-2014 12:23 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  Taylor is out for OU? I saw he was injured at the UT game but had no idea it was serious. Sorry to hear that. Injuries are taking a toll on the Bobcats.

Taylor tweeted that he would "give it a go" against Western, but the coaches haven't said that. I'm sure it will be a game time decision. I haven't heard anything about TJ Hall, but I would expect him to play.

(02-19-2014 12:45 PM)bobcat95 Wrote:  

(02-19-2014 12:23 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  Taylor is out for OU? I saw he was injured at the UT game but had no idea it was serious. Sorry to hear that. Injuries are taking a toll on the Bobcats.

Taylor tweeted that he would "give it a go" against Western, but the coaches haven't said that. I'm sure it will be a game time decision. I haven't heard anything about TJ Hall, but I would expect him to play.

Per Jason Arkley of the Athens Messanger...

Quote:Ohio’s latest adversity is injury related. Point guard Stevie Taylor will try to play today, despite a calf bruise, but isn’t likely to start. Small forward T.J. Hall is also likely to see time, but could be limited with a hamstring/achilles injury that held him back on Saturday.

(02-19-2014 12:45 PM)bobcat95 Wrote:  

(02-19-2014 12:23 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  Taylor is out for OU? I saw he was injured at the UT game but had no idea it was serious. Sorry to hear that. Injuries are taking a toll on the Bobcats.

Taylor tweeted that he would "give it a go" against Western, but the coaches haven't said that. I'm sure it will be a game time decision. I haven't heard anything about TJ Hall, but I would expect him to play.

Someone on the Ohio board mentioned that Kellogg is listed as questionable as well with a death in the family. I have to think he'll play though.

I like the thought of a battle for the top 6 seeds but let's be honest: to assume the top 6 MAC teams lose to no bottom 6 MAC teams the rest of the way is stretching it. I don't see lower teams rolling over and even the top teams are consistently inconsistent.

Should be fun viewing!!

(02-19-2014 02:36 PM)WMU_MD Wrote:  I like the thought of a battle for the top 6 seeds but let's be honest: to assume the top 6 MAC teams lose to no bottom 6 MAC teams the rest of the way is stretching it. I don't see lower teams rolling over and even the top teams are consistently inconsistent.

Should be fun viewing!!

Agreed. This year isn't like the last few years. The gap between 1 and 10 isn't that expansive. Ball State and CMU are headed in the right direction but aren't there yet but every other team can take down anyone else.

I predict the video feed will start working any second now on the MAC website for WMU @ Ohio.

PLEASE!

Yeah, now that the game is halfway over.........