CSNbbs

Akron C+
Zips went 4-4 against D1. All but one game was settled by 7 points or less. This suggests Akron plays to the caliber of the competition. If they can get out of that mode, look for the Zips to finish 3rd in the MAC East. Highlight: win against a good Hampton squad. Lowlight: Loss at home to mediocore Cleveland State.

Ball St C
Cardinals are 5-5 with a Bracket Buster game remaining OOC. Injury to T. Smith has been a huge loss to BSU, which otherwise was looking for a big season. Based upon their road woes and being in a strong division, I look for the Cards to finish 4th in the MAC West. Highlight: Win against a so-so Nebraska team. Lowlight: Destruction at Xavier.

Bowling Green C-
With only one home game, Falcons are 2-4 in D1 games, with a Bracket Buster yet to come. BGSU has shown hope, but is definately rebuilding. Predict they wind up 5th in the MAC West. Highlight: Scared the daylights out of Alabama. Lowlight: Blow-out at Michigan.

Buffalo D+
The Bulls are improving, but at glacial speed. Currently 3-5 with a road tilt left at Penn State. I think they will actually finish 5th in the MAC East. Highlight: Victory over Rhode Island. Lowlight: Opening loss at home to woeful Cornell.

Central Michigan B+
CMU appears to have the chemistry back from two years ago that was lacking last season. Record of 6-2, including three road wins. Will fight it out with Toledo and achieve 2nd place in the MAC West. Highlight: Finally beating Michigan. Lowlight: Getting whipped at DePaul in their only real marquee matchup.

Eastern Michigan C-
A 3-3 record against medicore competition won't get you far during league season. The addition of Hart has not equated to immediate dividends, but could surely make the Eagles a spoiler. EMU to finish 5th in the MAC West. Highlight: Win against a decent Gardner-Webb squad. Lowlight: Getting swamped at Navy.

Kent State A
Who REALLY thought the Flashes were really going to reload and not rebuild? Good talent and chemistry; but what is most impressive is their will to win (6-1 with home Bracket Buster game left). They are the king of the MAC East until someone proves otherwise. Highlight: Victory over Boston College at the Gund. Lowlight: Loss at St. Bonventure, although starter Nate Gerwig was injured and didn't play.

Marshall I (C-)
If the Herd ever learned to play defense on a consistent basis, they would contend for a MAC championship every year. So far they are 3-3, but still have their annual battle versus West Virginia and a home Bracket Buster game remaining. I look for MU to finish 4th in the MAC East. Highlight: Won at Niagara. Lowlight: Blew a 22-point lead, losing at Morehead State.

Miami D
Raise your hand if you want to play the toughest OOC in the nation? Charlie Coles, I don't blame you for raising only your middle finger! The Redhawks are 1-7 in their Bataan Death March. I believe fatigue sets in this year and Miami is left to be a spoiler. Redhawks to finish 6th in the MAC East. Highlight: Smacked around Dayton. Lowlight: Got smacked around at home against an excellent Butler team.

Northern Illinois D-
Not a lot talent on this 4-6 squad. I project them to wind up 7th in the MAC West. Highlight: Solid win versus a tired Drake team. Lowlight: Bombed at their grand opening versus DePaul.

Ohio Univ I (C-)
Oh the aspirations! Bobcats have underachieved to a 3-4 record, but don't count them out yet. Still to play in Cinci against Kentucky, with a home game versus Virginia. I believe they will bounce up to a 2nd place finish in the MAC East. Highlight: The recent win versus an excellent St. Bonaventure team. Lowlight: Embarrassment at Providence.

Toledo B
I can not figure out this team. They have managed a 6-4 record, but with their talent should be 8-2. Their inconsistencies will result in a 3rd place finish in the MAC West. Highlight: Awesome victory at ranked Michigan State. Lowlight: Loss on a neutral court to "big-name", "bad-team" Virginia Tech.

Western Michigan A
The Broncos are for real. Not only are they 8-1, their victories have all been in convincing fashion. Who's to stop them from winning the MAC West? Highlight: Destroyed Auburn on the Tiger's home court. Lowlight: Got "out-patiented" in a close opening loss to Princeton.

Some final comments.
1. Either KENT and/or WESTERN should get post-season bids provided they perfom well during league play. The MAC better not be denied by the NCAA Selection Committee this year!!

2. Look for CMU, TOLEDO, and OHIO (2 out of 3) to get consideration from the NIT, provided no automatic ticket to the Big Dance.

3. Buffalo and Miami are the only MAC teams not to win a game away from home.

4. The MAC looks all-right in games versus their "mid-major" counterparts. The records: Missouri Valley (8-1); Mid-Continent (5-2); MAAC (5-2); Atlantic Ten (5-6); Horizon (7-10).

5. The MAC doesn't have the number of eye-opening wins as in seasons past, but their are some. Included are eight victories against teams from the "Big 6 BCS leagues, with four more contests remaining versus these opponents.

Now that was an excellent read. Good job Okie. I do have one question though. When are the Chippewas going to schedule tougher OOC opponents? As it stands now the Broncos and Chippewas victories over Michigan are looking better and better now that Amaker has those guys playing above their potential.

If Coach White taught D at Marshall the team might try to play it. Another sorry year!!

Quote:Now that was an excellent read. Good job Okie. I do have one question though. When are the Chippewas going to schedule tougher OOC opponents?

Not Okie, but Jeff Sagarin currently has CMU's schedule ranked at 118, while WMU's is 123. With the exception of Spring Arbor, I don't see any issues with our scheduling this season.

Yeah, and CBS Sportsline ranks the Broncos schedule at 208 and CMU at 215 and the Broncos don't schedule D-II opponents. What's your point?

Come on now. You know what I mean. You have one win over a major conference team, Michigan. Central beat a Spring Arbor team by 50. Until Central played Spring Arbor, I never heard of them and because they are D-II they don't factor into the SOS.

Meanwhile Toledo has a huge win over Michigan State.
Kent State has a big win over Boston College.
WMU has big wins over Michigan, Virginia Tech and Auburn (@ Auburn)
CMU has a big win over Michigan.

Drop the D-II teams from your schedule and lets talk.



<!--EDIT|John52168|Jan 1 2003, 11:50 PM-->

Going against Charlie Coles and picking the Redhawks 6th, eh? This team will have numerous conference wins, mostly because of their defense and success in goading teams into their tempo. They will beat Kent, Ohio and Akron at least 3 times before the year is out. Heck, they beat Western, didn't they? Although they don't have much personnel-wise, with the system they run, there is no way they finish 6th. I think the loss of Shorts will help the team's chemistry, and they'll stick with Coles through thick and thin come conference play.

And the Bulls aren't improving. Last year was their high point. This year, they go back down -- their inside play is horrible. What are the chances we'll see a March Cleveland appearance by UB before the decade is out? I'd say 50:1. There is no way that UB is better than MU.

I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if the MAC got 2 teams in come March....

:wave:

Good post!
Not sure if I would rank Marshall that high?

Quincy--I agree with you. I think it's a down year for the Hawks in term of what their fans might normally expect, but even so I would think they will be hovering around .500 in MAC games, 8-9-10 wins in conf play. That ain't 6th or 5th, and maybe not even 4th.

By the way OK Chipp, great post. Food for our hoops feast, and well done, too.

Dont be so nice to Marshall...we are just about all grading us as F right now..we are having a slight problem with the head coach..going backwards with things instead of forwards

John52168: OK, our SOS is ranked in the ballpark with yours in both polls. I've already stated that other than Spring Arbor, I have no problems with our schedule. That's exactly what I meant. Had we played a .500 or so DI team instead of SA, would anyone have a beef with CMU's schedule? I doubt it!

If you want to get on someone for scheduling, try EMU. Of course, they couldn't even beat Navy, so...