01-01-2005, 05:37 PM
from the MAC website:
Two most interesting matchups (besides any game involving the Flashes ) are UT@EMU and UB@BG. Both visiting teams (who some thought were the favorites going into the year, though few think that now) are really under the gun to win these games and both home teams are hungry to show they are contenders. I'd love to see both. I'll be in Muncie, however, where another home team desperately needs to right their ship after an opening loss to Miami.
A great day to go to a MAC basketball game, especially with the the dog games the NFL is putting out.
Quote:MAC WEEKEND
Several key matchups are featured Sunday (Jan. 2) afternoon as the league race gets underway full-time.
Toledo at Eastern Michigan - These two teams are the favorites to win the West Division in most preseason polls ... EMU is 1-0 in the MAC after an early Dec. win over Marshall ... UT has rebounded from a 1-5 start to win 3 in a row, including a triumph over Auburn.
Kent State at Ball State - The five-time defending East title holder Golden Flashes are noted for their quick starts and are 8-3 overall, 1-0 in the MAC ... BSU is 4-0 at home but has a road loss in the league at Miami.
Buffalo at Bowling Green - Last year's surprise team, the Bulls received the preseason nod to win the East ... BG has streaked to a 6-2 start and are senior laden ... UB will face early pressure as the Bulls dropped their MAC opener vs. defending league champion Western Michigan.
Western Michigan at Northern Illinois - No one has stopped the Broncos yet, they are 34-8 (.809 win pct.) under Steve Hawkins and won at Buffalo by 17 points Dec. 4 ... NIU is 1-0 in the league and 5-4 overall after a 10-win season last year ... injured PG Brian Snider (foot injury) has not played since Dec. 12 but Rickey Willis 25 assists during that time for WMU.
Ohio at Akron - The Zips were tabbed to finish second in the East by Street and Smith's but opened with a league loss at NIU in Dec. ... the Bobcats were 0-9 in the MAC on the road last year and have lost 13 regular season league road games in a row ... OU's 5-3 start is its best in the last 3 seasons.
Central Michigan at Marshall - The Chippewas need just one win to equal last year's total of 6 victories ... CMU was 0-9 last year in MAC road games ... the Thundering Herd is 0-1 in the MAC but plays four of its next five MAC games at home ... five of Marshall's first nine games have been decided by four points or less.
Two most interesting matchups (besides any game involving the Flashes ) are UT@EMU and UB@BG. Both visiting teams (who some thought were the favorites going into the year, though few think that now) are really under the gun to win these games and both home teams are hungry to show they are contenders. I'd love to see both. I'll be in Muncie, however, where another home team desperately needs to right their ship after an opening loss to Miami.
A great day to go to a MAC basketball game, especially with the the dog games the NFL is putting out.