(02-12-2023 08:01 AM)fallsdog Wrote: Toledo with another birdie. Central Michigan and Kent State also sink nice putts.
Ohio Group
Kent -4
Toledo -4
Akron -3
Ohio E
BGSU +1
Miami +5
Out of Staters
BSU -3
NIU -1
Buffalo E
CMU +2
EMU +3
WMU +3
Looking at the end-game (last six) this seems like it's Toledo's title to lose.
They Rockets lay Akron at home among the top three, then a potpourri of bottom feeders before ending the season at Ball State. Everything could be decided by then.
Kent has Eastern Michigan, Ball State, Ohio and Akron -- three of those four are at home, but none is a gimme, including EMU despite their record. If the Eagles make the final 8, I doubt anybody wants to see them in a one-and-done situation.
Akron has the toughest road with Eastern, Buffalo, Toledo, Ball State and Kent. Eastern, Toledo and Kent are on the road. A guantlet to be sure, but the perfect prep for the MAC Tournament no matter what seed they finish.
As for the back end ... it looks like a three-team battle for No. 8 between Bowling Green, Central and Eastern. EMU is one game back of the other two but only plays BG on the road in head-to-head. Likely need that game, to even out head-to-head tiebreaker, plus at least two more wins out of Akron Kent, Western and Northern Illinois. Daunting, but if Bates goes on a heater not impossible.
BG plays Eastern, Central, Miami and Ohio among its last six, so fate is definitely in their hands especially with Central and Eastern at home.
CMU likely needs to pull off two road wins at BG-Buff-WMU to keep the other two on the outside looking in -- but dangerous home game vs. NIU can't be overlooked.