With Buffalo having BG and Akron as next two, the last Saturday at Kent State could be for a MAC East title and a bye.

(02-23-2017 02:10 AM)cschierh Wrote:  We've talked all season about the scoring power of Northern Illinois (third in the country), but Central Michigan just overpowered them Wednesday.

It was 109-86, the fourth time this season CMU has gone over 100. Tinara Moore had her fifth double-double of the season with 24 points and 15 rebounds and a program-record nine blocks. Presley Hudson had her third double-double of the season with 33 points and 11 assists, one shy of her career high. Twenty-seven of her points came in the first half, during which she made 11 of 15 field goal attempts (4 of 7 three-pointers).

Ally Lehman scored 21 points and had nine rebounds for Northern (11-4, 18-8).

Central is now 13-2 in the MAC, 21-6 overall, and has won seven in a row. The Chippewas play second-place Ball State (12-3, 19-8) on the road Saturday.

Ball State beat Western Michigan (7-8, 16-10), 83-72 at Western. Moriah Monaco had 24 points and Renee Bennett 19 for BSU. Deja Wimby had 24 for Western.

Buffalo (9-6, 19-7) knocked Ohio out of a first place tie in the East with a 65-54 win in Buffalo. Ohio, now tied with the Bulls for second, is 9-6 and 18-8. The Bobcats have lost three in a row -- to Central, Kent State and Buffalo. Freshman Summer Hemphill had 15 points and 17 rebounds for Buffalo.

Kent State went on a 14-0 run in the middle of the third quarter and beat Bowling Green at BG, 70-60. The win leaves KSU alone is first place in the East at 10-5, 16-11 overall. Bowling Green had a 26-15 rebounding margin and a 29-25 lead over KSU late in the first half. Then Kent coach Todd Starkey smashed his clipboard on the floor in the huddle to "scare them into attention." KSU outrebounded the Falcons 22-19 the rest of the game. Larissa Lurken had 20 points for Kent, 17 in the second half. Story on my blog at http://wbbflashes.com.

Toledo (9-6, 18-8) beat Eastern Michigan (1-14, 6-21), 65-57 at Toledo. Kaayla McIntyre had 15 points for Toledo, which had three other players in double figures.

In a game with 11 lead changes, Miami (4-11, 10-18) beat Akron (2-13, 9-17) at Akron. Lauren Dickerson and Kendall McCoy each had 17 points for Miami.

MAC standings are at http://www.espn.com/womens-college-baske...onference.

Game summaries are on the MAC website at http://www.mac-sports.com/news/2017/2/22...1955.aspx.

Ball State has now won 6 consecutive MAC road games and 7 out of 8 overall.

When is the last time we've seen a team like EMU with only one conference win this late in the MAC season?

(02-23-2017 01:03 PM)emu steve Wrote:  When is the last time we've seen a team like EMU with only one conference win this late in the MAC season?

EMU lost a coach, a transfer to GT and a transfer to Nebraska... This was sort of expected. They compete hard though. I like your coach a lot.

(02-23-2017 03:17 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(02-23-2017 01:03 PM)emu steve Wrote:  When is the last time we've seen a team like EMU with only one conference win this late in the MAC season?

EMU lost a coach, a transfer to GT and a transfer to Nebraska... This was sort of expected. They compete hard though. I like your coach a lot.

Indeed.

And they had some graduation losses which also hurt.

Hard to replace Sweeney and Morton.

I don't think we've had a win in MBB or WBB in the last month (or say roughly 4 weeks).

According to the link below, after the early signing period EMU's recruiting class was ranked best in the MAC and 58th best in the country. Ranking a recruiting class is an inexact science, to say the least, but EMU's fortunes may turn around quickly.

http://www.emueagles.com/news/2016/11/9/...ath=wbball

EMU coach had a great reputation as an assistant at Washington. Eagles will be back soon.

Ball State beat Central Michigan at home Saturday, and the MAC West is tied with two games to go.

BSU and Central are both 13-3. Northern Illinois is at 12-4 with a win at Eastern Michigan.

Kent State is 11-5 in the East and close to clinching the fourth seed. The Flashes beat Akron 73-69, but best thing that happened to them Saturday was that Bowling Green upset Buffalo in Buffalo. KSU is now two games ahead of the Bulls.

A rundown of Saturday's games:

Ball State (13-3, 20-8) 81, Central Michigan (13-3, 21-7) 73 at Ball State. BSU led by 14 after the first quarter, but Central eventually took at 57-56 lead late in the third quarter. But Ball State took the lead in the middle of the third quarter.

Junior Moriah Monaco had 20 points and joined teammates Renee Bennett and Jill Morrison in reaching 1,000 in their careers. Tinara Moore had 25 and Cassie Brown 23 for Central. Leading scorer Presley Hudson was held to four points; she had nine assists.

Bowling Green (4-12, 8-20) 64, Buffalo (9-7, 19-8) 62 at Buffalo. BG trailed by 14 in the third quarter but held Buffalo to 3 of 16 shooting in the fourth. Sydney Lambert had 18 and Carly Santoro 17 for the Falcons. Joanna Smith, Buffalo's only senior, had 25 on Senior Day.

Kent State (11-5, 17-11) 73, Akron (2-14, 9-18) 69 at Kent. Kent State led by nine going into the fourth quarter, but Akron got it to three with a minute left and missed a three-pointer than would have tied the game. Freshman guard Shaunay Edmonds had 10 points and three steals in that comeback for Akron. She finished with a career-high 26. Larissa Lurken had 28 for KSU, which won its fifth straight. Full story is on my blog at http://wbbflashes.com.

Northern Illinois (12-4, 19-8) 81, Eastern Michigan (1-15, 6-22) 71 at Eastern. Four Huskies had more than 15 points, led by Courtney Woods with 22 (six three-pointers).

Ohio (10-6, 19-8) 77, Miami (4-12, 10-19) 63 at Ohio. Amani Burke had a career high 21 as Ohio broke a three-game losing streak.

Toledo (10-6, 19-8) 75, Western Michigan (7-9, 16-11) 67 at Toledo. Mikaela Boyd had a career-high 23 points for UT, along with 9 rebounds and 3 steals.

Standings going into the last week of the regular season:

West: Central Michigan and Ball State (13-3), Northern Illinois (12-4), Toledo (10-6), Western Michigan (7-9), Eastern Michigan (1-15).

East: Kent State (11-5), Ohio (10-6), Buffalo (9-7), Miami and Bowling Green (4-12), Akron (2-14).

Full standings are at http://www.espn.com/womens-college-baske...onference.

Top games Wednesday look to be Central at Western and Toledo at Northern Illinois.

Saturday game stories are at http://www.mac-sports.com/news/2017/2/25...2815.aspx.

As someone who watched Kent State go 27-119 over the last five years, I can't believe I'm writing this:

Kent clinched the MAC East Wednesday. The Flashes beat Miami 78-51 to go 12-5 in the MAC and 18-11 overall. Ohio is 11-6, so it could tie the Flashes Saturday. But Kent State holds the tie breaker for the fourth seed in the tournament.

KSU actually could get the third seed if Northern Illinois were to lose again. NIU lost 79-75 at home to Toledo Wednesday and also is 12-5. The Huskies hold the tie breaker over Kent, but if they lose at Western Michigan and Kent beats Buffalo at home, the Flashes would finish third overall.

Kent State is a team that has exactly the same starting lineup that went 6-23 and finished tied for last in the MAC last season. What's the difference? A new coach in Todd Starkey and a new system that allowed guard Larissa Lurken to bloom. Lurken averaged 13 points a game last season. This year she's averaging 23 -- fifth in Division I. She had 24 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and a block against Miami. There's more on Kent State on my blog at http://wbbflashes.com.

In the West, both Central Michigan and Ball State won to stay tied for first. If both win again Saturday, it will take a coin flip to decide the top seed in the tournament.

Central (14-3, 22-7) beat Western Michigan (7-10, 16-12) 94-73, at Western. Tinara Moore scored 29 points to lead five Chippewas in double figures.

Ball State (14-3, 21-8) beat Eastern Michigan (1-16, 6-23) 64-54 at Eastern. Senior center Renee Bennett had 23 of her 25 points in the second half to lead the Cardinals.

Toledo (11-6, 20-8) got 27 points from senior Janice Monakana in its win over Northern Illinois (12-5, 19-9). The Rockets trailed by 15 points in the second quarter but won the game with a 14-3 run late in the fourth quarter. Ally Lehman almost had her third triple double of the year for Northern with 31 points, 16 rebounds and 9 assists.

In other games, it was:

Ohio (11-6, 20-8) 79, Bowling Green (4-13, 8-21) 68 at Ohio. Quiera Lampkins had 23 points and 9 rebounds for Ohio. Sydney Lambert had 29 for BG.

Buffalo (10-7, 20-8) 81, Akron (2-15, 9-19) 55 at Akron. Bulls senior JoAnna Smith tied a career-high with 31 points. Buffalo's win gives it back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since joining Division I in 1998-99.

Standings going into Saturday's final regular season game:

West: Central Michigan and Ball State (14-3), Northern Illinois (12-5), Toledo (11-6), Western Michigan (7-10), Eastern Michigan (1-16).

East: Kent State (12-5), Ohio (11-6), Buffalo (10-7), Bowling Green and Miami (4-13), Akron (2-15).

Biggest game Saturday is Toledo at Ball State. The only other game matching two teams with winning records is Buffalo at Kent State. Miami-Bowling Green game will decide seeding for those teams, who are tied. Full schedule is at http://www.espn.com/womens-college-baske.../20170304.

Full MAC standings are at http://www.espn.com/womens-college-baske...onference.

Game recaps are at http://www.mac-sports.com/news/2017/3/1/...5807.aspx.

(03-02-2017 01:14 AM)cschierh Wrote:  As someone who watched Kent State go 27-119 over the last five years, I can't believe I'm writing this:

Kent clinched the MAC East Wednesday. The Flashes beat Miami 78-51 to go 12-5 in the MAC and 18-11 overall. Ohio is 11-6, so it could tie the Flashes Saturday. But Kent State holds the tie breaker for the fourth seed in the tournament.

KSU actually could get the third seed if Northern Illinois were to lose again. NIU lost 79-75 at home to Toledo Wednesday and also is 12-5. The Huskies hold the tie breaker over Kent, but if they lose at Western Michigan and Kent beats Buffalo at home, the Flashes would finish third overall.

Kent State is a team that has exactly the same starting lineup that went 6-23 and finished tied for last in the MAC last season. What's the difference? A new coach in Todd Starkey and a new system that allowed guard Larissa Lurken to bloom. Lurken averaged 13 points a game last season. This year she's averaging 23 -- fifth in Division I. She had 24 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and a block against Miami. There's more on Kent State on my blog at http://wbbflashes.com.

In the West, both Central Michigan and Ball State won to stay tied for first. If both win again Saturday, it will take a coin flip to decide the top seed in the tournament.

Central (14-3, 22-7) beat Western Michigan (7-10, 16-12) 94-73, at Western. Tinara Moore scored 29 points to lead five Chippewas in double figures.

Ball State (14-3, 21-8) beat Eastern Michigan (1-16, 6-23) 64-54 at Eastern. Senior center Renee Bennett had 23 of her 25 points in the second half to lead the Cardinals.

Toledo (11-6, 20-8) got 27 points from senior Janice Monakana in its win over Northern Illinois (12-5, 19-9). The Rockets trailed by 15 points in the second quarter but won the game with a 14-3 run late in the fourth quarter. Ally Lehman almost had her third triple double of the year for Northern with 31 points, 16 rebounds and 9 assists.

In other games, it was:

Ohio (11-6, 20-8) 79, Bowling Green (4-13, 8-21) 68 at Ohio. Quiera Lampkins had 23 points and 9 rebounds for Ohio. Sydney Lambert had 29 for BG.

Buffalo (10-7, 20-8) 81, Akron (2-15, 9-19) 55 at Akron. Bulls senior JoAnna Smith tied a career-high with 31 points. Buffalo's win gives it back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since joining Division I in 1998-99.

Standings going into Saturday's final regular season game:

West: Central Michigan and Ball State (14-3), Northern Illinois (12-5), Toledo (11-6), Western Michigan (7-10), Eastern Michigan (1-16).

East: Kent State (12-5), Ohio (11-6), Buffalo (10-7), Bowling Green and Miami (4-13), Akron (2-15).

Biggest game Saturday is Toledo at Ball State. The only other game matching two teams with winning records is Buffalo at Kent State. Miami-Bowling Green game will decide seeding for those teams, who are tied. Full schedule is at http://www.espn.com/womens-college-baske.../20170304.

Full MAC standings are at http://www.espn.com/womens-college-baske...onference.

Game recaps are at http://www.mac-sports.com/news/2017/3/1/...5807.aspx.

What is the 3 way 12-6 tie breaker scenario for Toledo, NIU and Ohio if that were to happen. Also the tie breaker between 12-6 Toledo and NIU who split the season series? Basically. Is it possible for Toledo to be a 4th seed? NIU, Toledo, kent and Ohio could potentially end up with 6 losses.

http://www.mac-sports.com/sports/2015/3/...50307.aspx

Found tie breaker rules. Toledo cannot get the 3 or 4 seed with their 0-3 record vs Ohio and Kent. Being the 4/5 seed is the same result assuming a 1st round tourney win over EMU tho.

March 2nd Sagarin:
69 CMU (22-7)
87 Toledo (19-8)
90 Ohio (20-8)
91 BSU (20-8)
103 UB (20-8)
117 NIU (19-9)
127 KSU (18-11)
137 WMU (16-12)

March 2nd RPI:
35 CMU $ wins vs. Ohio x2
52 Ohio $ win vs. IUPUI, ? loss vs. NCA&T
69 Toledo $ win vs. Dayton, $ win vs. CMU
86 NIU $ win vs. Ohio
93 UB $ win vs. Ohio, $ win vs. CMU
102 KSU $ win vs. Ohio x2
115 BSU $ win vs. CMU, ? loss vs. Lipscomb
184 WMU

(03-02-2017 01:55 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  http://www.mac-sports.com/sports/2015/3/...50307.aspx

Found tie breaker rules. Toledo cannot get the 3 or 4 seed with their 0-3 record vs Ohio and Kent. Being the 4/5 seed is the same result assuming a 1st round tourney win over EMU tho.

Toledo can get 4th, I think. If Kent and Toledo win, and Ohio and Northern Illinois lose, then Toledo and Northern finish tied. Toledo wins the tie-breaker on the basis of better record against the West Division (Toledo 7-3, Northern 5-5, assuming a loss in their last game.) This outcome is highly unlikely, though.

(03-02-2017 11:34 AM)Dwight Wrote:  

(03-02-2017 01:55 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  http://www.mac-sports.com/sports/2015/3/...50307.aspx

Found tie breaker rules. Toledo cannot get the 3 or 4 seed with their 0-3 record vs Ohio and Kent. Being the 4/5 seed is the same result assuming a 1st round tourney win over EMU tho.

Toledo can get 4th, I think. If Kent and Toledo win, and Ohio and Northern Illinois lose, then Toledo and Northern finish tied. Toledo wins the tie-breaker on the basis of better record against the West Division (Toledo 7-3, Northern 5-5, assuming a loss in their last game.) This outcome is highly unlikely, though.

You're correct! I kept thinking by the myriad of ways we can get a 3 way tie and how we lose all of those.

In that scenario... CMU/EMU finish their game, Toledo beats BSU, KSU beats UB, Akron beats Ohio, WMU beats NIU, and BG/Miami finish their game.

1.) CMU 15-3
2.) Ball State 14-4
3.) Kent State 13-5
4.) Toledo 12-6
5.) NIU 12-6
6.) Ohio 11-7
7.) UB 10-8
8.) WMU 8-10
9.) BG/Miami 5-13/4-14
11.) Akron 3-15
12.) EMU 1-17

(03-02-2017 11:34 AM)Dwight Wrote:  

(03-02-2017 01:55 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  http://www.mac-sports.com/sports/2015/3/...50307.aspx

Found tie breaker rules. Toledo cannot get the 3 or 4 seed with their 0-3 record vs Ohio and Kent. Being the 4/5 seed is the same result assuming a 1st round tourney win over EMU tho.

Toledo can get 4th, I think. If Kent and Toledo win, and Ohio and Northern Illinois lose, then Toledo and Northern finish tied. Toledo wins the tie-breaker on the basis of better record against the West Division (Toledo 7-3, Northern 5-5, assuming a loss in their last game.) This outcome is highly unlikely, though.

Division record is only applied as a tiebreaker if the teams are tied for the division lead. After head to head, the next tiebreaker is the tied teams' record against the first place team. If the teams are still tied, they look at the tied teams's record against the second place team. They continue down the standings until the tie is broken

(03-02-2017 04:03 PM)RocketBBallFan Wrote:  

(03-02-2017 11:34 AM)Dwight Wrote:  

(03-02-2017 01:55 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  http://www.mac-sports.com/sports/2015/3/...50307.aspx

Found tie breaker rules. Toledo cannot get the 3 or 4 seed with their 0-3 record vs Ohio and Kent. Being the 4/5 seed is the same result assuming a 1st round tourney win over EMU tho.

Toledo can get 4th, I think. If Kent and Toledo win, and Ohio and Northern Illinois lose, then Toledo and Northern finish tied. Toledo wins the tie-breaker on the basis of better record against the West Division (Toledo 7-3, Northern 5-5, assuming a loss in their last game.) This outcome is highly unlikely, though.

Division record is only applied as a tiebreaker if the teams are tied for the division lead. After head to head, the next tiebreaker is the tied teams' record against the first place team. If the teams are still tied, they look at the tied teams's record against the second place team. They continue down the standings until the tie is broken

Ah, yes, I neglected to read the fine print. Still, Toledo would win the tie-breaker with NIU. Toledo and NIU would both have 1-1 records against Ball State. Toledo is 1-1 against Central, and NIU is 0-2 against Central.

(03-02-2017 04:58 PM)Dwight Wrote:  

(03-02-2017 04:03 PM)RocketBBallFan Wrote:  

(03-02-2017 11:34 AM)Dwight Wrote:  

(03-02-2017 01:55 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  http://www.mac-sports.com/sports/2015/3/...50307.aspx

Found tie breaker rules. Toledo cannot get the 3 or 4 seed with their 0-3 record vs Ohio and Kent. Being the 4/5 seed is the same result assuming a 1st round tourney win over EMU tho.

Toledo can get 4th, I think. If Kent and Toledo win, and Ohio and Northern Illinois lose, then Toledo and Northern finish tied. Toledo wins the tie-breaker on the basis of better record against the West Division (Toledo 7-3, Northern 5-5, assuming a loss in their last game.) This outcome is highly unlikely, though.

Division record is only applied as a tiebreaker if the teams are tied for the division lead. After head to head, the next tiebreaker is the tied teams' record against the first place team. If the teams are still tied, they look at the tied teams's record against the second place team. They continue down the standings until the tie is broken

Ah, yes, I neglected to read the fine print. Still, Toledo would win the tie-breaker with NIU. Toledo and NIU would both have 1-1 records against Ball State. Toledo is 1-1 against Central, and NIU is 0-2 against Central.

You are right! The Rockets still have a chance at the 4th seed!

Rockets win their second straight against West leader, both on the road and both by overcoming a double digit deficit.

Here is the official seeding from the MAC and results from Saturday:

No. 1 Central Michigan (15-3, 23-7). Beat Eastern Michigan 71-48 at Central.
No. 2 Ball State (14-4, 21-8). Lost to Toledo at home, 76-66, in overtime.
No. 3 Kent State (13-5, 19-11). Beat Buffalo 80-71 in Kent.
No. 4 Northern Illinois (12-6, 19-10). Lost at Western Michigan, 90-77.
No. 5 Ohio (12-6, 21-8). Beat Akron at home, 62-48.
No. 6 Toledo (12-6, 21-8). Beat Ball State at Ball State, 76-66, in overtime.
No. 7 Buffalo (10-8, 20-9). Lost at Kent State, 80-71.
No. 8 Western Michigan (8-10, 17-12). Beat Northern Illinois 90-77.
No. 9 Miami (5-13, 11-20). Beat Bowling Green at BG 75-65.
No. 10 Bowling Green (4-14, 8-22). Lost to Miami at BG, 75-65.
No. 11 Akron (2-16, 9-20). Lost at Ohio, 62-58.
No. 12 Eastern Michigan (1-17, 6-24). Lost at Central Michigan, 71-48.

Tournament pairings:

MONDAY

No. 12 Eastern Michigan at No. 5 Ohio.
No. 11 Akron at No. 6 Toledo.
No. 10 Bowling Green at No. 7 Buffalo.
No. 9 Miami at No. 8 Western Michigan.

WEDNESDAY

No. 1 Central Michigan vs. Western Michigan/Miami winner.
No. 4 Northern Illinois vs. Ohio/Eastern Michigan winner.
No. 3 Kent State vs. Toledo/Akron winner.
No. 2 Ball State vs. Buffalo/Bowling Green winner.

CMU game starts at noon at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Rest of games follow, each one starting 30 minutes after the end of the previous game.

FRIDAY

CMU/WMU/Miami winner vs. NIU/Ohio/Eastern winner at 11 a.m.

Kent/Toledo/Akron winner vs. Ball State/Buffalo/BG winner at 1:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Championship game at 11 a.m.

MAC women's tournament website, which includes bracket, statistics, ticket information and more is at http://www.mac-sports.com/tournaments/?id=64.